From  Life  to  Life 


or 


How  Our  Preachers  Die 


y 


By  BISHOP  W.  M.  WEEKLE  7.  D.D. 


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tihvavy  of  t1>e  Cheolojicd  ^emmarjp 

PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 


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PRESENTED  BY 

Rufus  H.  LeFevre 

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APr^  21  1952 
A. 


From  Life  To  ctek^ 


HOW  OUR  PREACHERS  DIE 

h 
BISHOP  W.  M.  WEEKLEY.  D.D. 


WITH  AN  INTRODUCTION 

REV.  C.  I.  B.  BRANE.  D.D. 


"Thtit  all  died  in  faith."— Heb.   11:13 


DAYTON.  OHIO 

THE  OTTERBEIN  PRESS 

1918 


V- 


Uc 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2009  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://www.archive.org/details/fromlifetol.ifeorOOweek 


FOREWORD 

In  the  preparation  of  this  little  volume  I  have  been 
actuated  mainly  by  a  desire  to  benefit  my  ministerial 
brethren.  The  testimonies  presented  will,  I  trust,  not 
only  inspire  in  them  greater  confidence  in  the  religion 
of  Christ  to  save  in  death,  but  will  furnish  a  class  of 
illustrations  for  the  pulpit  not  to  be  found  anywhere 
else  in  book  form. 

The  "last  words"  of  nearly  two  hundred  and  fifty 
ministers  and  ministers'  wives  are  recorded  in  the  following 
pages.  Others  are  not  mentioned  because  their  biograph- 
ical notices,  which  appeared  in  the  Religious  Telescope  and 
other  publications  of  the  Church,  did  not  contain  any  of 
their  last  utterances. 

It  will  be  observed  that  names  do  not  appear  in  regular 
chronological  order.  I  did  not  aim  to  give  dates,  but 
only  to  designate,  as  far  as  possible,  the  conferences 
to  which  the  departed  belonged.  Where  this  is  not 
done,  except  in  the  case  of  bishops  and  others  especially 
well  known  throughout  the  Church,  it  is  because  the 
death  notices  omitted  the  important  item. 

It  has  been  a  privilege,  I  must  say,  to  spend  a  little 
of  my  time  in  gathering  up  the  hallowed  utterances 
of  so  many  of  the  great  and  good  of  the  Church,  who 
triumphed  through  grace,  and  then  passed  "from  life 
to  life."  Blessed  words!  Many  of  them  were  borne 
back  to  us  from  the  very  suburbs  of  the  heavenly  Jeru- 
salem, and  are  immortal. 

As  I  searched  out  these  testimonies,  from  one  source 
and  another,  I  found  in  them  a  blessing  for  my  own 
heart,  and  was  constrained  again  and  again  to  say,  "Let 
me  die  the  death  of  the  righteous,  and  let  my  last  end 
be  like  his." 

In  this  revised  and  enlarged  edition  the  names  and 
dying  testimonies  of  a  few  preachers'  wives  are  added. 

That  all  who  may  chance  to  read  this  booklet  may 
be  strengthened  in  the  faith,  and  helped  in  a  life  of  con- 
secration, is  the  humble  prayer  of 
Parkersburg,  W.  Va.,  June  1,  1918.  THE  AUTHOR. 


AN  INTRODUCTORY  WORD 

When  Jesus  substituted  the  word  "sleep"  for  that  of 
death,  he  not  only  recognized  the  close  resemblance 
between  the  two,  but  also  suggested  that,  as  there  is  an 
awakening  from  natural  sleep  with  refreshment  of  body 
and  mind  through  slumber,  so  there  will  be  a  resurrection 
from  the  dead,  when  this  mortal  shall  put  on  immortality, 
and  death  shall  be  swallowed  up  in  victory.  A  good  life 
is  the  secret  of  a  happy,  hopeful  death.  "The  righteous 
hath  hope  in  his  death."  Indeed,  "Jesus  Christ  hath 
abolished  death,  and  hath  brought  life  and  immortality 
to  light  through  the  gospel,"  which  fact  he  confirms  by 
this  blessed  assurance:  "If  a  man  keep  my  saying,  he 
shall  never  see  death" — the  strongest  possible  statement 
of  a  glorious  truth,  in  the  enjoyment  of  which  good  men 
live  and  die,  realizing  that  henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for 
them  a  crown  of  righteousness.  In  the  experience  of 
that  truth  Stephen  fell  asleep,  Paul  made  his  departure, 
Enoch  was  taken,  Elijah  went  up,  and  all  other  saints 
have  been  gathered  home. 

The  fact  is,  both  in  temporal  and  in  spiritual  afTairs, 
men  linger  longest  under  the  influence  of  their  chief  pur- 
suit, and  then  enter  into  the  experience  of  that  for  which 
they  have  lived  and  labored,  whether  temporal  or  spiritual. 
"Tell  A.  P.  Hill  to  prepare  for  action,"  were  among  the 
final  words  of  Stonewall  Jackson — the  very  last  command 
he  gave.  "Tell  Hill  he  must  come  up,"  were  the  last 
words  of  Robert  E.  Lee.  Their  brave  lieutenant,  then 
resting  under  the  green  turf  of  Hollywood  cemetery,  lingered 
longest  in  the  minds  of  his  great  commanders,  while  their 
spirits,  yet  in  martial  fancy,  roamed  again  the  fields  of 
conflict,  ere  they  passed  to  where  the  soldier  dreams  of 
battlefields  no  more! 

And  so  it  is  in  the  spiritual  realm,  only  more  so.  Paul's 
opening  inquiry  of  his  newly-found  Savior  was,  "What 
wilt  thou  have  me  to  do?"  Later  on  he  said,  "For  me  to 
live  is  Christ;"  and  when  the  time  of  his  departure  arrived, 
Jesus  met  and  crowned  him. 


And  so  it  has  been  with  the  faithful  who  have  since 
fallen  asleep  in  Jesus,  and  will  be  with  those  who  shall 
yet  slumber,  and  those  also  who  shall  not  sleep,  but  who 
shall  simply  be  changed,  even  in  a  moment.  The  last 
words  of  Rev.  Joseph  Everett  were,  "Glory, glory,  glory." 
Doctor  Judson  said,  "When  Christ  calls  me  home  I  shall 
go  with  the  gladness  of  a  boy  bounding  away  from  school." 
At  the  last  moment,  John  Payson  exclaimed,"  Everlasting 
life  is  won."  J.  Parson  declared  with  his  latest  breath, 
"When  I  get  to  glory  I  will  make  heaven  ring  with  my 
voice,  and  wave  my  palm  over  the  heads  of  the  saints, 
crying.  Victory,  victory  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb."  Robert 
Newton  said,  "I  am  going  to  glory;  farewell  sin;  farewell 
death."  Impatient  in  his  experience  of  triumph  and 
prospective  glory,  John  Fletcher  stretched  out  his  arms 
as  though  they  were  wings,  imploringly  saying:  "Oh! 
how  this  soul  of  mine  longs  to  be  gone,  like  a  bird  out 
of  its  cage,  to  the  realms  of  bliss.  Oh!  that  some  guardian 
angel  might  be  commissioned,  for  I  long  to  be  absent 
from  the  body." 

In  the  perusal  of  this  booklet  the  reader  will  not  only 
recall  the  record  of  individual  lives  that  were  near  and 
dear  to  him,  either  because  he  was  closely  related  to  them 
in  service  or  fellowship,  or  else  for  the  reason  that  they 
helpfully  ministered  to  his  heart  and  life  through  their 
godly  influence;  but  he  will  realize  refreshment  of  soul 
in  reading  of  the  good  lives,  dying  words,  and  triumphant 
death  of  many  of  our  ministers,  faithful  toilers  whose 
blessed  memory  we  will  cherish  till  we  clasp  hands  with 
them  in  the  glory  world.  Under  the  spell  of  this  prospect 
the  power  and  charm  of  which  appear  on  every  page,  the 
sting  of  death  is  extracted,  the  waste  of  the  grave  is 
changed  to  incorruption,  and  death  is  swallowed  up  in 
victory.  The  book  will  inspire  faith,  promote  devotion, 
exalt  life,  confirm  hope,  and  translate  secular  thought 
into  spiritual  vision,  both  for  this  world  and  the  next. 
For  those  of  us  who  have  passed  the  meridian  of  life,  how 
few  of  our  childhood  friends,  or  even  those  of  a  decade 
later,  of  whom  we  often  think  and  long  to  meet,  are  left 


to  greet  us.  Nearly  all  of  them  are  where  our  feet  and 
faith  are  tending — in  heaven!  The  good  words  of  this 
author,  Bishop  Weekley,  long  a  faithful  toiler  and  leader 
in  the  ministry  of  the  Church, will  comfort  our  hearts  and 
strengthen  our  hands  amid  the  responsibilities  of  life, 
and  even  quicken  our  faith  and  pace  towards  the  City 
whose  builder  and  maker  is  God. 

"Fast  as  the  rolling  seasons  bring 
The  hour  of  fate  to  those  we  love, 
Each  pearl  that  leaves  the  broken  string 

Is  set  in  friendship's  crown  above. 
As  narrower  grows  the  earthly  chain 

The  circle  widens  in  the  sky; 
These  are  our  treasures  that  remain, 

But  those  are  stars  that  beam  on  high." 

C.  I.  B.  BRANE. 
June  1,  1918. 


INDEX 

Thoughts  on   Immortality 9 

Bishop  Philip  William  Otterbein V2 

Bishop    Martin    Boehin 13 

Kev.   Peter  Kemp 14 

Kev.  George  Adam  Guething 14 

Rev.   John   G.   Pfriramer 15 

Biishop'    Cliri;;ti;ui    Newcomer IB 

Rev.   Jacob   Bachtel 17 

Rev.   James  Kinney 18 

Rev.   S.   L.   Downey 18 

Rev.    William    Turner 19 

Rev.  A.   M.  Garriot 20 

Rev.   Jacob   I.   Ankrom 20 

Rev.    Henrv   Walters 22 

Rev.  John  'Rnbush 22 

Rev.  H.  Y.  Ilumelbaush 23 

Rev.   Zebeder    Wnnif^r 2r» 

Rev.  Joseph  A.  Wolfe 20 

Bishop   Jacob   Erb 27 

Rev.    Joseph    Ileicbel 28 

Rev.  William   II.  Diddle 2,S 

Rev.   Henry   Burtner 29 

Rev.  Joseph   E.   Widmeyer 30 

Rev.  Cornelius  S.   Meily 31 

Bishop  John  J.  Glossbrenner 32 

Rev.   Charles  E.   Ritt-ers 33 

Rev.  John  Wesley  Price 34 

Rev.   Henry  H.   Gelliach 34 

Rev.   Benjamin   F.  Booth 3.") 

Rev.    Henry    Young 3H 

Rev.    Jacob    Antrim 37 

Rev.  Jacob  C.  Smith 37 

Rev.  Ellis  Heater 38 

Rev.    Lewis    Davis 39 

Rev.   R.   Weaver 40 

Rev.   Lee  Fisher 41 

Rev.    Joshua   Cecil 41 

Rev.  Aaron   Farmer 42 

Rev.   Alexander  Konklin 43 

Bishop  William  Hanby 43 

Rev.   Ezra   D,   Palmer 44 

Rev.  J.  M.  Lea 45 

Bishop  David   Edwards 45 

Rev.  James  M.  Smith 4a 

Rev.   George   A.   Mark 47 

Rev.  J.  B.  Resler 48 

Rev.  James  W.   Robertson 49 

Rev.   Moses  Gallagher 50 

Rev.   James   Witt 50 

Rev.   John   T.   Nevill 51 

Rev.    Samuel   Martin 51 


Rev.   J.   C.   Bpitler 52 

Rev.   Jacob   B.   Kessler 52 

Rev.  Paul  Wambaugh 53 

Rev.   Samuel   Seiders 54 

Rev.  Jacob  E    Bovey 54 

Rev.  L.  D.  Pinkney 55 

Rev.  James  A.  Elliott 55 

Rev.   Henry  T.   Barcus 5(5 

Rev.    Christian    Grumbling 57 

Rev.   Francis  M.  Corl 57 

Rev.  J.  E.  Reames 58 

Rev.   Christian    Shopp 58 

Rev.    Isaac   Ware 59 

Rev.   Elisha  Flaugh 60 

Rev.  D.   D.   Liffhtner 60 

Rev.    A.    Lackey 61 

Rev.  Alvin  Rose 62 

Rev.  John  Russel 62 

Rev.    William    Smith 63 

Rev.  Benjamin  Patterson 63 

Rev.   August   Krause 64 

Rev.  E.  N.  Graves 65 

Rev.  C.  F.  Bowers 65 

Rev.  G.  B.  Perks iHi 

Bi-shop  Jonathan  Weaver 66 

Rev.  G.  P.  Macklin 67 

Rev.  J.  W.  Fulkerson 68 

Rev.  M.  D.  M.  Altice 68 

Rev.  W.   C.   Smith 60 

Dr.   I.   L.   Kephart 70 

Rev.  A.  A.  Sellers 70 

Rev.  O.  D.  Cone 71 

Rev.   John  Kleinfelter 72 

Rev.  W.  E.  Park 72 

Rev.  D.  R.  Burkholder 73 

Rev.  J.  G.  Shuey 73 

Rev.  J.  W.  Clark 73 

Rev.    Columbus   Hall 74 

Rev.  Jacob  Runk 75 

Rev.   A.   C.   Scott 76 

Rev.  R.  E.  Graves 77 

Rev.  T.  R.  Sprague 77 

Rev.  A.  E.  Fulton 78 

Rev.    William    Cadman 79 

Rev.  George  W.  Station 79 

Rev.   Alexander   Biddle 80 

Bishop    John    Dickson 81 

Rev.  I.  K.  Statton •.  -82 

Brief  Mention 83-96 

Mrs.  Henrietta  Meyer  Dowling 97 

Mrs.   Emma  E.   Dickson 98 

Mrs.    Sadie    Crider 98 

Mrs.  Dorcas  Clark 99 

Mrs.  Rosa  Elizabeth   Root 99 

Brief  Mention   100,  1$>1 

To  the  Living 102 


THOUGHTS  ON  IMMORTALITY 

Following  the  question  of  man's  origin,  and  perhaps  of 
greater  moment,  is  the  question  of  his  destiny.  What 
does  death  mean,  anyhow?  Is  it  annihilation,  or  exalta- 
tion—which? Is  it  the  rising  of  the  sun,  or  its  setting? 
Is  it  the  end  of  life,  or  only  its  beginning?  Is  it  the  entrance 
upon  an  unbroken  slumber,  or  the  gateway  to  an  endless 
beyond?  Is  it  the  folding  of  the  wings,  or  the  pluming  of 
the  pinions  for  a  loftier  flight? 

•     •     • 

With  the  good  man  nothing  is  so  great  and  sublime  ai 
the  thought  and  hope  of  immortality,  and  no  thought  so 
stirs  and  fires  his  soul.  This  feeling  is  encouraged  and 
strengthened  by  the  beautiful  and  suggestive  symbols  in 
nature  about  us.  For  example:  In  the  bud  we  see  the 
promise  of  the  leaf,  and  in  the  blossom  the  assurance  of 
fruit.  Every  sun-set  is  a  prophecy  of  a  new  to-morrow; 
each  spring  time  assures  us  that  autumn  will  certainly 
come  with  its  golden  harvest.  Is  not  this  whole  life  a 
period  of  seed-sowing?  And  if  so,  will  there  not  be  a 
reaping  time,  by  and  by?  Nearly  the  entire  span  of  human 
existence  from  the  cradle  to  the  grave  is  one  of  anxiety 
and  burden  bearing;  is  there  not,  therefore,  somewhere 
beyond  these  shores  a  "rest  to  the  people  of  God?" 


A  little  while  ago  we  were  not  in  this  world;  a  little 
while  hence  and  we  shall  be  here  no  more.  The  cradle 
makes  inquiry  as  to  our  origin,  and  the  coffin  about  our 
destiny.  Life's  door-way  we  call  birth;  the  way  out  we 
call  death.  When  we  came  into  this  world  through  the 
gate  of  birth,  we  were  met  by  love's  smiles,  and  sincere 
gladness;  when  we  pass  out  through  the  gate  of  death,  may 
we  n©t  believe  that  a  love  m«re  tender  than  a  mother's 


affection  will  meet  and  greet  us  in  a  higher  and  nobler 
realm? 

Job  raised  the  question:     "If  a  man  die,  shall  he  live 
again?"     Paul  answers  the  query  by  saying  that  "Jesus 
Christ  hath  abolished  death,  and  hath  brought  life  and 
immortality  to  light  through  the  gospel." 
*     *     * 

If  God  created  man  with  the  hope  of  immortality,  it  is 
reasonable  to  believe  that  there  is  a  reality  answering  to 
this  hope.  The  hope  itself,  implanted  by  infinite  wisdom 
and  love,  becomes  the  pledge  and  prophecy  of  an  unending 
life  beyond.  It  would  be  cruel  in  God  to  create  in  man  a 
desire  for  food  and  water,  and  then  refuse  to  provide  for 
the  gratification  of  that  inherent  need.  Likewise,  w^ould 
it  not  be  cruel  in  the  Creator  to  implant  in  the  soul  a 
deep,  fervent,  abiding  desire  for  endless  being  and  at  the 
same  time  make  no  provision  for  the  satisfying  of  that 
yearning?  God  makes  no  half  hinges.  While  every 
natural  instinct  is  mated  with  a  something  to  meet  it, 
and  satisfy  it,  so  the  desire  for,  and  hope  of,  heaven  in 
man  is  correlated  with  the  assurance  of  such  a  place. 

Men  may  think,  and  talk,  and  live,  as  they  please,  but 
after  all,  somewhere  in  the  great  universe 

"There  is  a  land  of  pure  delight, 
Where  saints  immortal  reign; 
Where  infinite  day  excludes  the  night. 
And  pleasures  banish  pain." 

So  the  Bible  says.     So  reason  declares.     And  toward 
this  life  unending  the  redeemed  soul  aspires. 
"Who  will  greet  me  first  in  heaven? 
Oft  the  earnest  thought  doth  rise; 
Musing  on  the  unbroken  glories. 
Of  that  land  beyond  the  skies. 

"Who  will  be  my  heavenly  mentor? 
Will  it  be  some  seraph  bright? 
Or  angel  from  the  countless 
Myriads  of  that  world  of  light? 


No,  not  these,  for  they  have  never 
Dawned  upon  my  mortal  view; 

But  the  dear  ones  gone  before  us. 
They,  the  loved,  the  tried,  the  true. 

They  who  walked  with  us  life's  pathway, 
To  its  joys  and  griefs  were  given; 

They  who  loved  us  best  on  earth-land. 
Be  the  first  to  greet  us  in  heaven." 


Saved  ones,  we  hail  thee!  The  battle  fought,  the 
victory  won!  Home  at  last,  and  forever  crowned,  exalted, 
glorified!    Watch  at  the  portals,  for  we  are  coming! 


FROM  LIFE  TO  LIFE 


BISHOP  PHILIP  WILLIAM  OTTERBEIN 

"Servant  of  God,  well  done! 
Thy  glorious  warfare's  past; 
The  battle's  fought,  the  race  is  run. 
And  thou  art  crowned  at  last." 

Bishop  Otterbein's  ministry  of  sixty-two 
years  ended  in  great  peace.  Rev.  Dr.  Kurtz, 
of  the  Lutheran  Church,  for  many  years  a 
devoted  personal  friend  of  the  distinguished 
preacher,  offered  at  his  bedside  the  last  audible 
prayer,  at  the  close  of  which  the  bishop 
responded,  "Amen,  amen!  it  is  finished." 
Like  good  old  Simeon,  who  was  spared  to 
take  the  Babe  of  Bethlehem  in  his  arms,  he 
could  say,  "Lord,  now  lettest  thou  thy  serv- 
ant depart  in  peace,  according  to  thy  word:  for 
mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation."  His 
grief-stricken  friends,  thinking  he  was  dying, 
had  gathered  about  him  to  take  the  last  look 
ere  he  smote  with  his  sandals  the  waters  of 
death's  river,  but,  rallying  again  for  a  mo- 
ment,   as   if   to    finish    his   testimony,    and    to 

12 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFK  IS 

give  Still  greater  assurance  of  victory,  he  said, 
"Jesus,  Jesus,  I  die,  but  thou  livest,  and 
soon  I  shall  live  with  thee."  Then,  turning 
to  his  friends,  he  continued:  "The  conflict  is 
over  and  past.  I  begin  to  feel  an  unspeakable 
fullness  of  love  and  peace  divine.  Lay  my 
head  upon  my  pillow,  and  be  still."  All  wat 
quiet.  He  awaited  the  approach  of  Heaven's 
chariot;  nor  did  he  wait  in  vain.  "A  smile,  a 
fresh  glow,  lighted  up  his  countenance,  and, 
behold,  it  was  death." 

He  "taught  us  how  to  live;  and  (oh,  too  high 
The  price  for  knowledge!)  taught  us  how  to  die." 


BISHOP  MARTIN  BOEHM 

This  honored  servant  of  God  was  Bishop 
Otterbein's  co-laborer,  and  he  preached  the 
word  fifty-four  years.  His  long  life  of  trust 
and  service  terminated  in  a  death  most  tranquil 
and  triumphant.  He  asked  to  be  raised  up 
in  his  bed,  and  expressed  a  desire  to  sing  and 
pray  once  more  before  bidding  adieu  to  earth. 
His  request  being  granted,  he  "prayed  and 
sang  praises"  with  a  voice  clear  and  strong. 
This  done,  he  requested  to  be  laid  upon  his 
pillow  again.  In  a  moment  the  conflict  was 
over;  the  good  Boehm  was  no  more,  for  God 
had  taken  him. 


14  FROM    LIFE   TO    LlFb 

"In  condescending  love, 

Thy  ceaseless  prayers  He  heard; 
And  bade  thee  suddenly  remove 
To  thy  complete  reward." 


REV.  PETER  KEMP 

A  brother,  with  much  solicitude,  watched 
at  the  bedside  of  Mr,  Kemp  during  his  last 
earthly  hours.  When  asked  if  he  experienced 
the  love  of  Christ,  he  replied:  "Oh,  yes!  Bless 
the  Lord,  I  shall  soon  be  with  him."  In  a 
few  moments  he  expired,  with  his  family  and 
friends  kneeling  in  prayer  around  his  bed. 

"On  Zion's  walls,  his  wonted  place, 
He  boldly  stood,  his  foes  to  face; 
Nor,  until  death  forbade  him  stay, 
Did  he  neglect  to  preach  and  pray." 


REV.  GEORGE  ADAM  GUETHING 

On  his  return  from  conference  in  1812  Mr. 
Guething  stopped  over  night  near  Baltimore, 
Maryland.  During  the  night  his  indisposi- 
tion, which  had  been  felt  for  some  days,  so 
increased  that  his  friends  became  alarmed 
over  his  condition.  Early  in  the  morning, 
however,  he  rallied  somewhat,  and  conversed 
with  his  wife  and  others  about  the  Christian's 
glorious  hope.  Then,  after  a  short  silence,  he 
said:  "I  feel  as  though  my  end  had  come. 
Kark!      hark!      who    spoke?      Whose    voice    is 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  15 

this  I  hear?  Light!  light!  what  golden  light! 
Now  all  is  dark  again.  Please  help  me  out 
of  this  bed."  His  request  being  granted,  he 
asked  those  in  the  room  to  join  him  in  the 
song, 

"Come,  thou  long-expected  moment, 
Come,  thou  Spirit  from  on  high; 
'T  is  thy  call,  my  Lord  and  Master; 
How  shall  I  express  my  joy. 
When  thy  grace  and  power  of  love 
Bid  me  rise  to  climes  above." 

Kneeling  then  at  his  bedside,  Mr.  Guething 
prayed  most  fervently,  giving  thanks  to  God 
for  his  abundant  mercies,  and  pleading  that 
his  humble  servant  might  be  received  into 
rest.  This  was  his  last  prayer.  The  icy  hand 
of  death  was  gradually  extinguishing  the 
vital  spark.  Upon  being  assisted  into  bed 
again,  he  folded  his  hands  across  his  breast 
and  quietly  fell  asleep. 


REV.  JOHN  G.  PFRIMMER 

It  is  like  a  loving,  covenant-keeping  God  to 
reward  a  life  of  faith  with  a  triumphant  death. 
So  it  was  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Pfrimmer.  He 
had  spent  thirty-five  years  in  the  gospel  min- 
istry when  the  final  summons  came.  After 
returning  from  General  Conference  to  his 
home  in  Indiana,  he  expressed  the  belief  that 


16  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

his  "race  was  run,"  but  gloried  in  the  prospect 
of  "soon  going  to  join  the  great  assembly  of 
heaven."  To  a  brother  he  declared  that  his 
"hope  in  the  Redeemer  was  unshaken,  and 
that  it  afforded  him  joy  as  his  end  drew  near." 
"As  he  uttered  these  words,"  said  an  eye- 
witness, "his  countenance  beamed  as  with  a 
light  which  was  visible  upon  him  in  death." 

"How  blest  the  righteous  when  he  dies! 
When  sinks  a.  weary  soul  t*  rest, 
How  mildly  beam  the  closing  eyes! 

How  gently  heaves  the  expiring  breast!" 


BISHOP  CHRISTIAN  NEWCOMER 

Bishop  Newcomer  kept  a  brief  record  of 
his  own  life,  from  which  the  following,  writ- 
ten during  his  closing  days,  is  taken.  "This 
day,"  he  wrote,  "I  am  so  unwell  that  I  am 
not  able  to  leave  my  room.  But,  glory  to  my 
God,  I  can  have  sweet  communion  with  him. 
Though  solitary,  I  am  not  left  alone.  My 
Savior  is  still  with  me,  and  continues  the 
best  of  friends.  Oh,  how  blessed  is  the  con- 
dition of  aged  people,  when  they  know  that 
they  have  a  reconciled  God  and  Savior." 

"My  God  is  reconciled, 

His  pardoning  voice  I  hear, 
He  owns  me  for  a  child, 
I  can  no  longer  fear." 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIF«  17 

REV.  JACOB  BACHTEL 

As  his  faithful  wife  stood  at  his  bedside 
weeping  in  view  of  the  separation  soon  to 
occur,  Mr.  Bachtel  said:  "Child,  don't  cry. 
Just  think  how  merciful  God  is  in  taking  me 
first.  You  can  do  better  without  me  than  I 
could  without  you.  There  will  only  be  a  few 
days'  separation.  I  will  watch  you  as  you 
come  to  the  better  land."  The  tide  was 
rapidly  receding;  the  vital  flame  had  well- 
nigh  ceased  to  burn.  He  lay  for  a  time  with 
his  eyes  closed.  Then  opening  them  sud- 
denly he  said,  pointing  with  his  finger:  "What 
a  beautiful  grove  I  see!  What  delightful 
fields!  Oh,  if  I  can  find  a  resting  place  in 
some  corner  of  that  delightful  place."  While 
his  feet  were  being  washed,  as  he  had  re- 
quested, he  added:  "This  is  my  last  hour  on 
earth.  All  is  right;  I  shall  go  to  heaven." 
Then,  folding  his  hands  upon  his  bosom,  he 
passed  into  the  great  unseen  as  quietly  and 
peacefully  as  the  innocent  babe  falls  asleep  in 
its  mother's  arms.  Being  the  oldest  member 
of  Parkersburg  (now  West  Virginia)  Con- 
ference, and  one  of  the  pioneer  preachers  of 
that  State,  he  was  loved  and  revered  by  all 
who  knew  him. 

"  'T  is  religion  can  supply 
Solid  comfort  when  we  die." 
From  Life  to  Life-2 


18  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

REV.  JAMES  KINNEY 

Mr.  Kinney  was  a  member  of  Scioto,  now 
South  East  Ohio  Conference.  While  yet  a  young 
man,  he  was  called  to  the  church  triumphant. 
The  last  time  he  appeared  in  the  pulpit  he 
announced  as  his  text,  "If  our  gospel  be  hid, 
it  is  hid  to  them  that  are  lost."  As  he  was 
impressed  that  it  was  his  last  sermon,  it  glowed 
with  warmth  and  meltd^d  his  audience  to  tears. 
At  its  close  he  remarked,  "My  earthly  labors  are 
done."  "With  the  subdued  gladness  of  a 
weary  traveler  preparing  to  set  sail  homeward 
bound,"  writes  one  who  knew  Mr.  Kinney 
well,  "one  week  before  his  death  he  made 
preparations  for  his  funeral,  selected  Rev.  J. 
Russel  to  preach  it,  the  text  he  should  use, 
and  then  designated  the  hour  when  his 
friends  should  call  to  witness  his  departure; 
and  at  that  hour,  triumphing  in  redeeming 
grace,  he  set  sail  for  the  heavenly  port." 

"Redeemed  from  earth  and  pain, 
Ah!  when  shall  we  ascend; 
And  all  in  Jesus'  presence  reign 
With  our  translated  friend?" 


REV.  S.  L.  DOW^NEY 

"Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  behold  the 
upright;  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace." 
How  applicable  these  beautiful  words  to  Mr. 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  19 

Downey,  who,  as  he  entered  the  valley  of  shadows 
repeated  again  and  again,  "All  things  work 
together  for  good  to  them  that  love  the  Lord." 
Seeing  that  his  children  were  grieved  and 
loath  to  give  him  up,  he  lovingly  said  to  them: 
"It  is  well;  my  work  is  done.  It  is  time  for 
me  to  go  to  my  reward." 

"This  is  not  my  place  of  resting, 
Mine's  a  city  yet  to  come; 
Onward  to  it  I  am  hasting — 
On  to  my  eternal  home." 


REV.  WILLIAM  TURNER 

Everything  connected  with  the  scheme  of 
salvation  is  wonderful — its  author,  its  adapta- 
tion to  hu;nan  needs,  and  the  ultimate  triumph 
with  which  it  crowns  the  believer.  Mr.  Turner's 
experience  was  most  thrilling  as  he  neared  the 
end  of  his  earthly  pilgrimage.  Said  he:  "Tell 
my  brethren  that  it  is  all  well.  The  gospel 
that  I  preached  to  others  comforts  my  own 
heart.  I  am  enjoying  heights  and  depths  of 
the  love  of  God  that  I  never  realized  before. 
Oh,  it  is  wonderful." 

"  'T  is  grace,  't  is  wonderful  grace; 
Its  streams  so  full  and  free 
Are  flowing  now  for  all  the  race; 
They  even  flow  for  me." 

Mr.    Turner   was    a    member    of    Northwest 
Kansas  Conference, 


20  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

REV.  A.  M.  GARRIOT 

To  an  irreligious  neighbor,  who  entered  his 
room  to  perform  some  act  of  kindness,  Mr. 
Garriot  said,  "John,  you  are  very  good  to 
me;  I  love  you,  but  am  sorry  you  have  no  re- 
ligion." Being  overcome  with  emotion,  he 
paused  to  wipe  the  tears  from  his  eyes,  and 
then  continued:  "Oh,  John,  it  is  strange  that 
a  man  of  your  information  should  have  to  be 
lost  just  for  want  of  religion,  when  it  is  as 
free  as  the  water  that  runs  in  the  stream. 
John,  can  you  give  one  good  reason  for  not 
being  religious?  With  it  is  life,  happiness, 
heaven;  without  it  is  misery,  sorrow,  and 
ruin."  Thus  witnessing  to  the  blessedness  of 
religion  before  the  unsaved,  this  bearer  of 
good  tidings,  known  so  well  to  multitudes  in 
Indiana,  departed  to  be  forever  with  his  Lord . 

"His  burning  zeal  no  languor  knew, 
For  Christ,  his  cause,  his  tempted  few; 
At  home,  abroad,  where'er  his  lot, 
His  much-loved  theme  he  ne'er  forgot." 


REV.  JACOB  I.  ANKROM 

Late  in  the  year  of  1872,  the  Parkersburg 
(now  West  Virginia)  Conference  keenly  felt 
the  touch  of  death,  though  but  one  of  its 
members  fell.  Mr.  Ankrom  was  a  brave  soul, 
and,     struggling     heroically     for     the     faith. 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  21 

gloriously  conquered,  though  himself  slain. 
At  the  last  ministerial  association  he  attended 
he  publicly  said  to  Rev.  S.  J.  Graham,  whom 
he  recognized  as  his  spiritual  father:  "Brother 
Graham,  will  you  be  my  father  in  the  gospel? 
You  were  instrumental  in  my  conversion.  I 
shall  take  you  by  the  hand,  by  and  by,  and 
present  you  to  Jesus  and  tell  him  that  you 
won  me  to  his  love."  A  few  hours  before  his 
death,  Rev.  A.  Orr,  a  co-laborer,  visited  him 
and  found  him  enjoying  great  peace.  "The 
Lord  bless  you,  Brother  Orr,"  he  said.  "I 
am  pretty  nearly  over  the  river.  I  often  said 
it  would  not  be  hard  to  pass  over,  and  now  it 
is  all  right.  The  messenger  has  not  yet  come, 
but  I  am  looking  for  him."  After  making 
inquiry  concerning  his  ministerial  brethren 
and  their  work,  he  added,  "Tell  them  that 
my  afflictions  will  soon  be  over."  When  Mr. 
Orr  arose  to  leave,  he  took  the  dying  brother's 
hand,  saying,  "Brother  Ankrom,  we  shall 
probably  not  meet  here  any  more."  No  re- 
ply was  heard.  Speech  was  gone.  His  only 
answer  was  a  silent  yet  eloquent  lifting  of 
the  finger  heavenward  in  token  of  his  faith 
and  hope  in  Jesus. 

"The  stranger's  eye  wept  that  in  life's  early  bloom, 
One  gifted  so  highly  should  sink  to  the  tomb; 
For  in  ardor  he  led  in  the  van  of  the  host; 
He  fell  like  a  martyr,  he  died  at  his  post." 


22  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

REV.  HENRY  WALTERS 

The  dying  message  of  Mr.  Walters  was:  "I 
am  now  admonished  that  my  labors  will  soon 
end.  I  have  a  desire  that  these  words  be 
heard  over  the  whole  earth.  Come  into  the 
gospel  kingdom,  and  follow  Christ,  ye  sons 
and  daughters.  Will  you  make  your  mark 
in  the  high  calling  in  Christ  Jesus?  We  are 
saved  by  grace  through  faith,  not  in  ourselves, 
but  by  the  precious  blood  of  Christ  inter- 
ceding at  the  throne  of  God  in  our  behalf. 
To  all  I  say  farewell." 

"We  say  good-by,  but  not  forever, 
There  will  be  a  glorious  dawn; 
We  shall  meet  to  part,  no  never, 
On  the  resurrection  morn." 


REV.  JOHN  RUBUSH 

A  good  man  never  loses  his  interest  in  souls. 
Elijah  would  visit  the  young  prophets  at 
Bethel  and  Jericho  immediately  before  his 
translation,  not  only  to  bid  them  farewell,  but 
to  instruct  them  in  religion  and  in  relation  to 
their  peculiar  work.  Indeed,  the  nearer  the 
approach  to  eternity,  the  more  intense  the  in- 
terest which  God's  true  servants  manifest  in 
the  welfare  of  sinners.  So  it  was  with  Rev. 
John  Rubush.  Only  a  few  moments  before 
his  death  he  conversed  freely  with  a  friend,  of 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  23 

the  Lutheran  Church,  about  his  revival  meet- 
ing, which  had  been  discontinued  on  account 
of  his  illness.  "I  would  be  glad,"  he  said, 
"to  get  back  to  the  meeting  again,  as  I  think 
the  Lord  is  going  to  do  a  great  work  for  us. 
A  revival  is  so  much  needed."  While  thus 
speaking,  with  his  heart  fixed  upon  the  work 
of  soul-saving,  his  friend  stepped  into  an  ad- 
joining room  to  tell  some  one  that  he  thought 
Mr.  Rubush  was  sinking.  In  a  few  moments 
he  heard  him  begin  to  sing,  "There'll  be  no 
more  sorrow  there."  Surprised  at  this,  he  re- 
turned at  once  to  his  side,  when,  behold!  he 
was  dead.  His  spirit  had  gone  to  the  land 
where  "sorrows  never  come."  This  was  in 
December  of  1881,  and  closed  a  most  success- 
ful ministry  of  forty-five  years. 

"Rest,  weary  pilgrim,  thy  journey  is  o'er, 
Rest,  sweetly  rest,  on  the  beautiful  shore; 
Safely  at  last  thou  hast  reached  the  bright  goal, 
Fatherland,  home  of  the  soul." 


REV.  H.  Y.  HUMELBAUGH 

This  hero  of  faith  met  and  vanquished  the 
last  foe  early  on  the  morning  of  October  13, 
1868.  He  was  a  member  of  Pennsylvania 
Conference,  and  spent  thirteen  years  in  itiner- 
ant work. 


24  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

When  his  physician  visited  him  the  last 
time  he  inquired,  "Doctor,  what  do  you  think 
of  me?"  "You  are  very  ill,  sir,"  was  the 
reply,  "Well,  I  did  not  expect  that,"  said 
Mr.  Humelbaugh,  "but  it  is  all  right.  I  have 
tried  to  live  a  religious  life,  and  now  I  can 
say,  'Saved  by  grace;  saved  by  the  grace  of  God." 
When  asked  if  the  gospel  he  had  preached  to 
others  comforted  his  own  heart,  he  quickly 
answered:  "Oh,  yes;  oh,  yes.  I  was  afraid  if 
I  did  get  well  I  would  have  to  give  up  preach- 
ing, but  the  Lord  has  arranged  all  that  now." 
As  the  shadows  thickened,  his  faith  seemed  to 
lay  hold  of  the  Redeemer  with  an  all-conquer- 
ing grasp,  and  he  exclaimed:  "O  Jesus,  receive 
my  spirit.  Glory  to  God  for  a  religion  that 
saves  in  the  dying  hour."  A  friend,  approach- 
ing his  bedside,  said,  "Well,  Brother  Humel- 
baugh, you  are  going  home."  "Home!  yes; 
blessed  be  God,  I'm  in  the  old  ship  sailing  for 
— glory  to  God!  Glory  to  God  for  experi- 
mental religion."  Lifting  both  hands,  he 
continued,  "Let  people  say  what  they  choose 
against  experimental  religion,  thank  God  it 
saves  in  a  dying  hour."  Then,  turning  to  his 
grief-stricken  wife,  he  sought  most  tenderly 
to  console  her.  "Oh,  Fanny,  weep  not  for  me; 
I  will  soon  rest,  forever  rest,  from  all  my 
troubles.  Oh,  lead  a  holy  life;  train  up  our 
children  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord — in  experi- 
mental religion — and  tell  them  to  be  humble." 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  25 

Addressing  his  physician  again,  he  said,  "Oh, 
doctor,  what  a  beautiful  land  lies  just  before 
my  eyes."  Then  in  holy  ecstasy  he  cried  out: 
"O  King  of  terrors!  end  of  time!  Oh,  all  is 
bright!  I'll  soon  be  at  home.  Farewell,  pul- 
pit; this  is  the  end  of  my  preaching."  Kiss- 
ing his  little  son,  he  said,  "God  bless  you,  my 
boy."  With  the  confidence  of  Israel's  sweet 
singer,  he  repeated  to  himself,  "Though  I 
walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death,  I  will  fear  no  evil,  for  thou  art  with 
me."  So  nearly  exhausted  was  he  that  he 
omitted  the  last  sentence,  but  when  some  one 
finished  it  he  replied,  "They  comfort  me; 
yes,  bless  God,  they  comfort  me."  A  few 
minutes  later  his  pulse  was  still.  He  had 
passed  from  life  to  life. 

"He  fought,  but  now  the  battle's  o'er. 
No  conflict  now,  no  trials  sore; 
His  body  lies  beneath  the  sod, 
His  soul  is  resting  with  its  God." 


REV.  ZEBEDEE  WARNER,  D.D. 

"How  are  the  mighty  fallen."  Being  ab- 
sent from  his  family  when  stricken  with  his 
last  illness,  Dr.  Warner  dictated  a  letter  to 
his  wife  in  which  he  said,  referring  to  the 
future:     "I  want  to  assure  you  of  my  readiness 


26  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

for  any  change  that  God  may  arrange.  If  I 
lack  anything  it  has  not  been  revealed  to  me. 
I  am  not  going  to  a  strange  country,  for 
Jesus,  for  whom  I  have  preached  more  than 
thirty-five  years,  is  one  of  the  chief  objects  of 
that  country  to  which  I  am  going,  and  where 
I  shall  live.  I  know  and  can  trust  him.  I 
ask  very  kindly  that  you  all  come  to  see  me. 
I  think  I  shall  know  what  you  all  are  doing 
below,  and  when  you  start  will  come  as  far  as 
I  can  to  meet  you,  and  introduce  you  to  Jesus 
as  my  faithful  co-worker  in  the  gospel  of 
Christ,  a  portion  of  which  has  been  committed 
to  me.  If  we  meet  in  this  life,  there  are  many 
things  which  I  might  mention  to  you;  if  we 
do  not  meet,  they  will  have  to  remain  un- 
spoken until  we  meet  in  heaven."  As  the 
delectable  mountains  appeared  to  view,  he 
said  to  the  editor  of  the  Religious  Telescope,  by 
telegram,  "My  soul  is  wonderfully  filled  with 
the  peace  of  God." 

"Not  for  thee  shall  tears  be  given, 
Child  of  God,  and  heir  of  heaven; 
For  he  gave  thee  sweet  release; 
Thine  the  Christian's  death  of  peace." 


REV.  JOSEPH  A.  WOLFE 

"I   am  ready,"    "All   is  well,"   and   like  ex- 
pressions   were    frequently    heard    from    Mr. 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  27 

Wolfe  during  his  last  illness.  His  heart  was 
so  fixed  upon  his  chosen  work  that  even  in 
his  death  fancies  he  imagined  himself  travel- 
ing over  his  circuit,  preaching  again  to  his 
people.     At   the  very   last   he   began   to   sing, 

"All  hail  the  pov/er  of  Jesus'  name! 
Let  angels  prostrate  fall;" 

but  his  strength  failed  him;  he  could  not 
finish  the  verse.  The  bringing  forth  of  the 
"royal  diadem,"  with  which  to  crown  Jesus, 
was  left  off  till  he  reached  the  other  side. 

"Brother!  rest  from  sin  and  sorrov/; 
Death  is  o'er  and  life  is  won; 
On  thy  slumber  davvns  no  morrow; 
Rest,  thine  earthly  race  is  run." 


BISHOP  JACOB  ERB 

"Thou  shalt  come  to  thy  grave  in  a  full 
age,  like  as  a  shock  of  corn  cometh  in  his  sea- 
son." These  words,  so  beautiful  and  tender, 
may  be  applied  to  Bishop  Erb.  For  sixty 
years,  in  consecutive  order,  he  attended  the 
sessions  of  Pennsylvania  Conference.  When 
the  time  of  the  sixty-first  drew  near,  and  he 
saw  that  he  v/ould  be  too  feeble  to  attend,  he 
addressed  a  fatherly  letter  to  his  brethren  to 
be  read  in  open  conference.  In  closing  he  said: 
"My  faith  in  God  is  strong,  my  confidence  in 
his  word  unshaken,  and   I   know  by  personal 


28  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

experience  that  there  is  a  power  in  true  reli- 
gion. The  future  of  a  blessed  life  is  to  me  full 
of  hope  and  promise.  God  is  my  refuge  and 
my  strength." 

"Life's  labor  done,  as  sinks  the  clay, 
Light  from  its  load  the  spirit  flies, 
While  heaven  and  earth  combine  to  say, 
'How  blest  the  righteous  when  he  dies!'  " 


REV.  JOSEPH  HEICHEL 

To  his  children  Mr.  Heichel  said,  as  he  was 
entering  the  unseen:  "You  have  been  very 
good  to  me.  Take  good  care  of  your  mother, 
and  meet  me  in  heaven."  To  his  wife  his 
words  were  most  comforting:  "We  will  soon 
be  together  in  heaven,  where  we  will  have  a 
home  forever.    This  parting  will  be  short." 

Thus  died  this  member  of  East  Ohio  Con- 
ference, drawing  sweet  solace  from  that  gospel 
which  he  had  lovingly  preached  to  others. 

"All  the  blest  ones  who  have  gone 
To  the  land  of  life  and  song — 
We  with  shouting  shall  rejoin. 
By  and  by,  by  and  by." 


REV.  WILLIAM  H.  DIDDLE 

This  honored  member  of  Parkersburg  (now 
West  Virginia)  Conference  entered  upon  his 
everlasting  reward  November  10,  1877.  Dur- 
ing his  last  sickness,  which  continued  through 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  29 

many  months,  he  said  to  Rev.  S.  J.  Graham,  a 
yoke-fellow  in  the  gospel:  "I  would  like  to 
die.  I  am  anxious  to  pass  the  ordeal  and  see 
how  it  will  go.  But  when  the  conflict  is  once 
over,  I  shall  not  want  to  come  back  any 
more."  He  was  alone  with  his  family  when 
the  final  summons  came.  When  his  wife  saw 
that  he  was  dying,  she  became  excited,  but  to 
allay  her  fears  he  calmly  said:  "Do  not  be 
excited.  If  this  is  death,  I  am  not  afraid  to  die." 
His  friends  soon  filled  his  room,  but  his  lifeless 
clay  was  all  that  remained.  The  soul,  having 
heard  the  voice  of  the  Master,  had  gone  out  to 
seek  rest  in  another  clime. 

"Who  would  not  wish  to  die  like  those 

Whom  God's  own  Spirit  deigns  to  bless? 
To  sink  into  that  soft  repose, 

Then  wake  to  perfect  righteousness?" 


REV.  HENRY  BURTNER 

After  spending  thirty-seven  eventful  years 
in  the  ministry,  Mr.  Burtner  entered  into  rest, 
A.  D.  1857.  As  death  drew  near  he  leaned 
more  firmly  upon  the  assurances  of  the  gospel, 
and  gradually  sank  into  a  sweet,  Christ-like 
submission  to  the  will  of  the  Great  Father. 
He  frequently  exhorted  his  family  to  be  faith- 
ful and  meet  him,  with  his  daughters,  Mary 
and  Eliza,  who  had  passed  on  before,  in  their 


30  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

heavenly  home.  In  his  death  vision  he  seemed 
to  catch  ghmpses  of  his  ransomed  children,  and 
called  them  by  name  as  if  trying  to  converse 
\vith  them.  "What  beautiful  scenes  I  beheld," 
he  would  say,  after  waking  from  what  seemed 
to  be  momentary  slumber.  At  last,  before 
going  to  sleep,  he  said  to  his  wife,  in  German, 
"This  time  I  will  get  over."  So  he  did.  The 
awaking  was  on  the  other  side. 

"Clasped  in  my  Heavenly  Father's  arms, 
I  could  forget  my  breath; 
And  lose  my  life  amid  the  charms 
Of  so  divine  a  death." 


REV.  JOSEPH  E.  WIDMEYER 

Only  the  righteous  have  hope  in  death.  To 
him  who  erects  an  imperishable  monument  to 
his  fidelity  to  Christ  by  labors  abundant  and 
constant  for  the  good  of  others,  death  has  no 
sting.  Rev.  J.  E.  Widmeyer,  of  Virgina 
Conference,  died  at  the  early  age  of  twenty- 
seven.  Perfect  trust  gave  him  inexpress  ble 
joy  in  his  last  few  days.  The  triumphs  so  bravely 
and  gloriously  achieved  on  life's  battlefield 
seemed  to  merge  into  one  grand  victory  when 
the  final  struggle  came.  He  could  say,  "All 
is  right;  I  have  no  fears  for  myself;  my  on  y 
concern  is  for  others."  To  his  aged  parents, 
v/ho    were    not    permitted    to    be    present,    he 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  31 

sent  this  message:  "Tell  them  that  the  re- 
ligion they  taught  me  at  the  family  altar,  and 
elsewhere,  has  been  a  source  of  great  comfort 
to  me  in  my  last  days." 

"Soldier  of  Christ,  well  done! 

Begin  thy  new  employ; 

Sing,  while  eternal  ages  run, 

Thy  Master  and  his  joy." 


REV.  CORNELIUS  S.  MEILY,  A.M. 

The  very  useful  career  of  this  man  of  God 
terminated  December  IS,  1882.  Being  a 
Hebrew  scholar  of  rare  excellence,  he  took 
great  comfort  in  repeating  aloud  certain  por- 
tions of  Scripture,  especially  the  Twenty-third 
Psalm,  in  the  original.  While  his  wife  was 
singing, 

"In  the  sight  of  Jordan's  billows. 
Let  thy  bosom  be  my  pillow,"  etc., 

he  turned  with  a  pleasing  look  and  said, 
"Yes,  oh,  yes,  I'm  sweeping  through;  C  rist 
is  leading.  Home,  home— wilh  Christ." 
Though  little  inclined,  ordinarily,  to  laughter, 
he  would  frequently,  in  his  closing  days, 
laugh  heartily  and  sa}',  "Oh,  I  feel  so  happy." 
To  his  wife  he  spoke  his  last  aud  ble  wo  ds 
on  earth,  "Esther,  meet  me;  I'll  be  looking 
for  you."  Mr.  Meily  was  ten  years  a  member 
of  East  Pennsylvania  Conference. 


32  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

"Faithful  servant,  fare  thee  well! 
With  the  holy  thou  dost  dwell; 
Thou  art  free  from  toil  and  pain; 
Fare  thee  well,  we'll  meet  again." 


BISHOP  JOHN  J.   GLOSSBRENNER,   D.D. 

"Say  ye  to  the  righteous,  that  it  shall  be 
well  with  him."  So  it  was  with  the  devout 
Bishop  Glossbrenner  when  he  had  reached 
the  end  of  his  earthly  pilgrimage,  January  7, 
1887.  Mr.  John  Dodds,  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  a 
warm  personal  friend  of  the  bishop,  spent  a 
day  or  two  with  him  shortly  before  his  death, 
and  found  him  in  a  most  blessed  frame  of 
mind.  When  the  subject  of  preaching  was 
referred  to,  he  said:  "If  I  could  preach  again 
just  once  more,  I  would  preach  Jesus.  I 
would  preach  from  his  words  to  the  disciples 
on  the  Sea  of  Galilee,  'It  is  I,  be  not  afraid.'" 
As  Mr.  Dodds  was  leaving,  he  looked  back 
when  a  few  paces  from  the  house,  and  to  his 
surprise  the  bishop  had  gotten  out  of  his  bed 
unassisted,  and  was  standing  by  the  door. 
He  was  visibly  affected,  and  with  hand  up- 
lifted, and  tears  running  down  his  cheeks, 
said,  "Tell  my  brethren  it  is  all  right;  my 
home  is  over  there."  To  another  he  said: 
"My  title  is  clear,  but  not  because  I  have 
preached    the   gospel,    but   alone    by    the    love 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  33 

and  mercy  and  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  Rely  on  nothing  but  Jesus  Christ 
with  an  experimental  knowledge  of  acceptance 
with  God  through  the  merits  of  Jesus." 

In  view  of  his  rapidly  approaching  end,  he 
said  to  his  pastor,  "I  shall  not  be  here  much 
longer."  When  asked  about  the  future  his 
reply  was:  "Everything  is  as  bright  as  it  can 
be.  What  a  blessing  it  is  to  have  a  Savior 
at  a  time  like  this."  His  last  whispered  words 
were,  "My  Savior." 

"With  saints  enthroned  on  high, 
Thou  dost  thy  Lord  proclaim; 

And  still  to  God  salvation  cry, — 
Salvation  through  the  Lamb!" 


REV.  CHARLES  E.  RITTGERS 

As  he  dipped  his  sandals  in  the  last  river, 
Mr.  Rittgers  sang,  in  a  whisper,  "I  am  cross- 
ing Jordan's  cold  stream."  After  gathering 
his  friends  around  him  and  shaking  hands 
with  them,  he  pointed  upward,  and  tried  to 
sing  that  hymn  of  trust,  "T'ake  me  as  I 
am,"  but  could  not.  While  the  spirit  was 
mighty  in  its  God,  the  body  was  weak — too 
weak  to  sing.  "Take  me  as  I  am,"  was  con- 
cluded before  the  throne.  Thus  the  Scioto, 
now  South  East  Ohio  Conference  surrendered 
another  of  her  sons  to  the  church  triumphant. 

From  Life   to  Life- 3 


34  FROM   LIFE   TO   LIFE 

"Rest,  brother,  rest;  thy  toils  are  o'er; 

Sweet  seraphs  join  thy  tuneful  lays, 
The  pain  of  death  thou'lt  feel  no  more; 
Thy  harp  is  tuned  to  endless  praise." 


REV.  JOHN  WESLEY  PRICE 

This  promising  young  member  of  White 
River  Conference  remained  cheerful  up  to  the 
closing  moments  of  his  life.  Next  to  com- 
munion with  God,  he  enjoyed  the  presence  and 
fellowship  of  his  ministerial  brethren.  "How 
do  you  feel,  Wesley?"  inquired  his  mother. 
"Peace,  mother,  all  is  peace,"  was  the  ex- 
ultant reply. 

"In  Jesus  for  peace  I  abide, 
And  as  I  keep  close  to  his  side, 
There's  nothing  but  peace  doth  betide, 
Sweet  peace,  the  gift  of  God's  love." 


REV.  HENRY  H.  GELBACH 

A  number  of  ministers  stood  around  his 
couch.  Preparatory  to  administering  the 
Lord's  supper,  "Home,  sweet  home,"  was 
sung.  Every  heart  present  was  touched,  Mr. 
Gelbach  was  filled  with  emotion,  and  praised 
God  aloud  in  prospect  of  the  "sweet  home" 
upon  which  he  was  about  to  enter.  After 
receiving  the  bread  and  wine,  he  said:  "I 
feel  that  my  work  is  done.     I  have  tried  to 


FKOM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  35 

preach  Christ  and  him  crucified.  I  boast  not 
of  my  work,  for  what  good  has  been  accom- 
plished by  my  labors  has  been  through  the 
power  of  God.  I  harbor  no  ill-feeling  toward 
any  one.  If  it  is  the  Lord's  will  to  call  me 
away,  I  feel  that  I  am  prepared  to  go." 
Then,  directing  his  conversation  especially  to 
his  co-laborers,  he  continued,  "But,  O  breth- 
ren, keep  in  the  good  work  as  long  as  God 
spares  you."  Blessed  counsel!  Triumphant 
adieu!  Glorious  entrance  into  that  "city 
which  hath  foundations!" 

"How  happy  every  child  of  grace, 
Who  knows  his  sins  forgiven; 
This  earth,  he  cries,  is  not  my  place, 
I  seek  my  place  in  heaven." 


REV.  BENJAMIN  F.  BOOTH,  D.D. 

Having  gone  to  the  uncreated  source  of 
fire  to  light  his  torch.  Dr.  Booth  was  a  light- 
bearer  in  the  best  sense,  and  wherever  he 
went  the  people  felt  the  glow  and  warmth  of 
his  spiritual  life.  To  such  a  one  death  has 
no  alarm.  To  Bishop  Weaver,  Dr.  Booth 
said,  referring  to  his  illness,  "I  do  not  know 
how  this  will  turn  out;  I  should  love  to  live 
a  while  yet  to  do  some  more  work  for  the 
Master;  but  remember,  it  is  all  right."  To 
Dr.     William     McKee     he    said,     exultingly, 


36  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

"Sweeping  through  the  gates,  washed  in  the 
blood  of  the  Lamb."  His  last  sermon  was 
preached  from  the  text,  "Thou  hast  been 
faithful  over  a  few  things,  I  will  make  thee 
ruler  over  many  things."  So  loved  was  this 
great  soul  that  the  whole  Church  mourned 
his  departure  from  earth. 

"Safe,  safe  upon  the  ever-shining  shore, 
Sin,  pain,  and  death,  and  sorrow  all  are  o'er; 
Happy  now  and  evermore. 
Washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb." 


REV.  HENRY  YOUNG 

When  asked  how  he  felt  in  view  of  his  ap- 
proaching end,  Mr.  Young  calmly  repeated 
that  oft-quoted  verse : 

"O  land  of  rest,  for  thee  I  sigh; 

When  will  the  moment  come 
When  I  shall  lay  my  armor  by. 

And  dwell  in  peace  at  home?" 

then  added:  "I  am  looking  for  my  end  every 
moment.  I  am  expecting  my  Savior."  Nor 
did  he  look  in  vain.  By  this  death  Pennsyl- 
vania Conference  lost  a  good  man,  but  heaven 
was  made  vastly  richer  in  moral  worth. 

"Filled  with  delight,  my  raptured  soul  • 
Would  here  no  longer  stay; 
Though  Jordan's  waves  around  me  roll. 
Fearless  I'd  launch  away." 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  37 

REV.  JACOB  ANTRIM. 

Mr.  Antrim,  of  Miami  Conference,  was  an 
evangelist  of  rare  ability,  and  spent  much  of 
his  time  in  evangelistic  work.  When  the  call 
of  the  Master  came  he  was  in  Pennsylvania, 
conducting  revival  services.  When  he  real- 
ized that  death  was  at  hand,  he  requested  two 
of  his  ministerial  brethren,  who  were  at  his 
bedside,  to  sing  what  seemed  to  him  an  appro- 
priate hymn — 

"On  Jordan's  stormy  banks  I  stand, 
And  cast  a  wishful  eye 
To  Canaan's  fair  and  happy  land, 
Where  my  possessions  lie." 

He  joined  heartily  in  the  song  and  in  the 
prayer  which  followed,  and  then  remarked: 
"For  forty-two  years  has  the  Lord  been  with 
me,  and  I  feel  that  he  is  with  me  now.  I  am 
going  to  a  better  world.  This  world  is  not 
my  home."  So  he  died  at  the  ripe  age  of  three- 
score and  twelve  years,  and  was  "gathered 
to  his  people." 


REV.  JACOB  C.  SMITH 

When  this  hero  of  faith  could  no  longer 
speak  he  would  frequently  look  up  with  a 
smile,  and  wave  his  hand  in  triumph.  Just 
prior  to  his  death  he  wrote  a  letter  to  Bishop 
Dickson,  with  whom  he  had  long  been  asso- 


38  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

ciated  in  his  conference  relations,  and  assured 
him  of  his  abiding  faith  in  the  religion  of 
Christ.  "Thanks  be  to  God,"  he  said,  "I 
have  not  moved  one  hair-breadth  from  the 
faith  I  preached  and  believed  during  the 
forty-eight  years  of  my  Christian  life.  I  often 
enjoy  sweet  moments  and  hours  in  secret 
conversation  with  my  Christ.  My  deafness 
and  blindness  have  isolated  me  from  the  rest 
of  mankind.  I  am  compelled  to  be  a  world 
within  myself.  God  being  with  me,  this  is 
possible  and  even  enjoyable." 

"Yes,  't  is  sweet  to  trust  in  Jesus, 
Just  from  sin  and  self  to  cease; 
Just  from  Jesus  simply  taking 

Life  and  rest,  and  joy  and  peace." 


REV.  ELLIS  HEATER 

"Death  loves  a  shining  mark."  Such  was 
Mr.  Heater,  of  Parkersburg  (now  West  Vir- 
ginia) Conference.  Though  but  a  young  man, 
the  testimony  he  left  behind  proved  a  rich 
legacy  to  his  friends,  and  has  often  been 
turned  to  good  account  by  his  fellow  workers 
in  the  gospel  ministry.  To  his  father  he  ex- 
pressed the  desire  that  he  might  "depart  and 
be  with  Christ."  When  some  of  his  family, 
who  had  faithfully  and  lovingly  watched  at 
his  bedside,  saw  that  he  was  dying,  they  could 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  39 

no  longer  restrain  their  feelings  and  wept 
aloud.  This  seemed  to  disturb  him  and  caused 
him  to  rally  for  a  few  moments,  long  enough 
to  say,  "Be  still;  let  me  alone;  I  am  going; 
all  is  well." 

"His  spirit  with  a  bound 

Burst  its  encumbring  clay; 
His  tent  at  sunrise  on  the  ground, 
A  darkened  ruin  lay." 


REV.  LEWIS  DAVIS,  D.D. 

"It  shall  come  to  pass,  that  at  evening  time  it 
shall  be  light."  The  truth  of  this  promise  was 
realized  by  Dr.  Davis  as  the  day  of  life  drew  to 
a  close.  He  found  great  pleasure  in  repeating 
the  Twenty-third  Psalm,  laying  special  stress 
on  the  first  verse,  "The  Lord  is  my  shepherd,  I 
shall  not  want."  When  asked  by  his  wife  if 
he  had  any  message  for  his  family,  he  re- 
plied, "No;  everything  is  arranged  for."  In 
answer  to  the  question  whether  the  Savior 
was  precious,  he  said,  "Oh,  yes;  how  could  it 
be  otherwise?"  A  few  hours  before  he  died, 
he  was  seen  gazing  upward  most  intently,  and 
lifting  both  hands,  he  moved  his  fingers  as  if 
beckoning  some  one.  Thus  resting  securely 
upon    the    divine    rod    and    staff,    he    passed 


40  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

quietly  and  safely  through  the  valley  of  shad- 
ows, and  entered  in  triumph  his  "long-sought 
home." 

"Saved  to  the  uttermost,  Jesus  is  near, 
Keeping  me  safely,  he  casteth  out  fear; 
Trusting  his  promises,  how  I  am  blest. 
Leaning  upon  him,  how  sweet  is  my  rest." 


REV.  R.  WEAVER 

As  Mr.  Weaver  lay  upon  his  pillow,  fully 
realizing  that  the  night  of  death  was  ap- 
proaching, a  flash  of  light  pierced  the  clouds 
and  fell  upon  his  bed  through  the  window. 
Turning  his  eyes  toward  the  sun  he  said, 
"How  nice  to  go  home  in  the  morning."  His 
faithful  consort,  who  found  it  so  hard  to  give 
him  up,  leaned  over  him  when  she  saw  the 
last  moment  had  come,  and  whispered,  "Good 
bye;  I'll  meet  you  in  heaven."  "Ves,"  said 
he,  "and  bring  all  the  children  with  you." 
Two  days  later  his  daughter,  Delia,  when 
dying,  said,  "I  don't  want  to  get  well;  I 
want  to  go  to  papa";  whereupon  her  mother 
replied,  "Delia,  you  watch  for  us;  we'll  all 
come  as  soon  as  we  can." 

"Oh,  how  sweet  it  will  be  in  that  beautiful  land, 
So  free  from  all  sorrow  and  pain; 
With  songs  on  our  lips  and  with  harps  in  our  hands, 
To  meet  one  another  again." 

Mr.  Weaver's  membership  was  in  Erie  Con- 
ference. 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  41 

REV.  LEE  FISHER 

"It  is  a  fearful  thing,"  wrote  Mr.  Fisher  in 
his  last  letter,  "to  be  a  minister  of  the  gospel; 
and  how  dreadful  it  must  be  to  desecrate  so 
holy  a  calling.  Oh,  how  earnest,  faithful, 
pure-hearted,  pure-minded  we  ought  to  be.  I 
have  been  at  the  river's  edge  for  several 
weeks,  and  have  seen,  as  never  before,  the 
necessity  of  a  more  sincere  and  consecrated 
life  than  the  most  of  us  live." 

When  visited  by  Revs.  U.  P.  Wardrip  and 
S.  T.  Wallace,  fellow  ministers  of  Missouri 
Conference,  he  wept  for  joy,  and  said,  "I  am 
now  too  weak  to  talk,  but  I  can  listen;  I 
want  you  to  tell  me  all  about  the  work." 
After  all  his  business  affairs  had  been  ar- 
ranged, he  said  to  his  wife,  "Bring  up  my 
little  boys  to  be  men."  Then,  in  a  few 
moments,  added,  "I  die  as  I  have  tried  to 
live,  at  peace  with  God  and  man." 

"A  holy  quiet  reigns  around, 

A  calm  which  life  nor  death  destroys, 
And  naught  disturbs  that  peace  profound 
Which  his  unfettered  soul  enjoys." 


REV.  JOSHUA  CECIL 

For  thirty-one  years  this  knight  of  the  cross 
bravely  battled  with  the  hardships  of  an 
itinerant   life   to   help   build   up   what   is   now 


42  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

known  as  East  Ohio  Conference,  Dr.  Booth, 
of  the  same  conference,  was  permitted  to 
spend  with  him  his  last  night  on  earth.  When 
asked  how  it  was  with  him,  Mr.  Cecil  an- 
swered with  a  smile:  "It  is  all  glory,  glory, 
glory.  Is  not  that  good  enough?"  To  his 
son  he  continued,  "I  have  committed  many 
mistakes  in  my  life,  but  the  debt  is  paid,  all 
the  debt  I  owe." 

"Our  sins  on  Christ  were  laid; 
He  bore  the  mighty  load; 
Our  ransom  price  he  fully  paid 
In  groans,  and  tears,  and  blood." 


REV.  AARON  FARMER 

"Ye  are  come  .  .  .  .  to  an  innumerable 
company  of  angels."  Only  the  departing  saint, 
who  sees  the  mysterious  curtain  lifted,  knows 
how  near  to  the  death  chamber  come  the 
spirits  of  the  invisible.  To  Mr.  Farmer  the 
presence  of  heavenly  visitants  was  real  when 
the  time  came  to  bid  adieu  to  earthly  loved 
ones.  To  his  wife  he  said,  "Come  here  and 
listen!"  "To  what  shall  I  listen?"  she 
inquired.  "Why,  don't  you  hear  that  sing- 
ing?" "No,  I  do  not,"  was  the  answer- 
"Oh,"  said  he,  "it  is  the  sweetest  music  I 
ever  heard  in  my  life.  The  heavenly  messen- 
gers are  come  for  me,  and  I  must  go." 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  43 

"I've  almost  gained  my  heavenlj'  home, 
My  spirit  loudly  sings; 
The  holy  ones,  behold  they  come! 
I  hear  the  noise  of  wings." 

Aaron    Farmer    was    a    member    of    Indiana 
Conference. 


REV.  ALEXANDER  KONKLIN 

Addressing  two  of  his  brother  ministers  who 
had  called  to  converse  with  him,  this  faithful 
herald  of  good  tidings  said:  "Brethren,  I  am 
getting  homesick,  and  feel  that  it  would  be  far 
better  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ.  I  am 
only  waiting  to  go  and  see  how  it  looks  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river."  His  last  words  of 
assurance  were,  "Brethren,  stand  up  for  Jesus; 
I  shall  meet  you  no  more  in  annual  confer- 
ence, but  expect  to  meet  you  in  heaven." 

"Brother,  thou  art  gone  before  us; 
Where  thy  saintly  soul  is  flown, 
Tears  are  wiped  away  forever, 
And  all  sorrow  is  unknown." 


BISHOP  WILLIAM  HANBY 

Awhile  before  he  died  the  bishop  was  ob- 
served to  be  weeping,  by  his  daughter,  who  sat 
near  his  couch.  "What  is  it,  father?"  was  the 
tender  inquiry.  "Oh,  I  am  so  happy,"  was 
the    reply.      "My    long,    toilsome    journey    is 


44  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

nearly  ended;  my  life  work  is  joyfully  over; 
half  of  my  children  are  already  safe  in  heaven, 
and  I  am  just  as  sure  the  rest  will  be.  Half 
are  safe  at  home,  and  all  the  rest  are  on  the 
way.  Mother  is  there  (referring  to  his  wife) 
and  in  a  little  while  I  shall  be  there,  too. 
These  lines  are  in  mj^  mind  constantly: 

"  'The  Lord  my  shepherd  is, 
I  shall  be  well  supplied; 
Since  he  is  mine  and  I  am  his, 
What  can  I  want  beside?'  " 

After   he   had   descended   into   the   river   he 
shouted  back,  "I'm  in  the  midst  of  glory." 

"Nor  eye  hath  seen,  nor  ear  hath  heard, 
Nor  sense  nor  reason  known, 
What  joys  the  Father  hath  prepared 
For  those  that  love  his  Son." 


REV.  EZRA  D.  PALMER 

When  the  time  came  for  this  hero  of  faith 
to  quit  the  sword  and  receive  the  earnest 
of  his  heavenly  knighthood,  God  revealed 
himself  most  graciously  to  him  and  enriched 
his  last  earthly  hours  with  an  experience 
which  angels  themselves  might  covet.  When 
his  wife  inquired  whether  his  future  prospects 
were  clear  he  replied,  "Why,  yes;  I  never 
thought  of  having  any  clouds."  Then  he 
exclaimed  rapturously: 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  45 

"Amen!  amen!  my  soul  replies; 
I'm  bound  to  pieet  you  in  the  skies, 
And  claim  my  mansion  there." 

No  member  of  the  old  Rock  River,  now  Illinois 
Conference  ever  gave  himself  more  fully  and 
willingly  to  a  sacrificing  service  for  the  good 
of  others  than  did  Mr.  Palmer. 


REV.  J.  M.  LEA 

Patriarch-like,  Mr.  Lea,  of  Auglaize  (now 
Sandusky)  Conference,  blessed  his  household 
before  departing  hence.  To  his  wife  he  said, 
"God  bless  you  and  the  children;  teach  them 'the 
true  principles  of  Christianity";  and  then  laying 
his  hands  upon  the  heads  of  his  two  youngest,  he 
pronounced  upon  each  a  dying  father's  bless- 
ing. Again  to  his  wife  he  said,  "Tell  the  ab- 
sent children  to  meet  me  in  heaven." 

"Look  aloft!  the  spirit's  risen; 
Death  cannot  that  soul  imprison; 
'T  is  in  heaven  such  spirits  dwell, 
Glorious,  though  invisible." 


BISHOP  DAVID  EDWARDS,  D.D. 

"For  he  was  a  good  man,  and  full  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  and  of  faith."  This  text  was  appro- 
priately chosen  by  Bishop  Glossbrenner,  when 
called  upon  by  the  General  Conference  of 
1877  to  preach  a  sermon  in  memory  of  Bishop 


46  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

Edwards.  This  "good  man,"  so  wondrously 
full  of  the  "Holy  Ghost  and  of  faith,"  was 
more  and  more  impressed,  as  the  end  of  his 
pilgrimage  drew  near,  that  the  work  of  the 
gospel  minister  is  to  proclaim  Christ  Jesus, 
and  him  alone,  as  the  only  hope  of  the  world. 
"If  it  might  be  the  Lord's  will,"  he  said,  "I 
would  like  to  preach  avv^hile  yet.  I  would 
preach,  as  never  before,  salvation  by  faith 
alone.  Oh,  the  church  has  so  much  machin- 
ery, and  there  is  such  a  disposition  to  inter- 
pose so  many  things  between  inquiring  souls 
and  Christ.  Oh,  I  would  tell  them  salvation 
is  by  faith  in  Christ  alone.  I  see  this  now  as 
never  before,  and  I  would  like  to  live  and 
preach  it." 

"How  beauteous  are  their  feet 
Who  stand  on  Zion's  hill; 
Who  bring  salvation  on  their  tongues, 
And  words  of  peace  reveal." 


REV.  JAMES  M.  SMITH 

Three  days  before  this  son  of  Allegheny 
Conference  laid  down  the  cross  to  take  up  the 
crown,  he  addressed  a  tender,  loving  epistle  to 
his  colleagues,  who  were  soon  to  meet  in  their 
annual  session.  In  closing  he  said:  "I  send 
you  this  as  probably  my  last  greeting.  The 
past  year  has  been  one  of  great  sorrow  and 


FEOM   LIFE   TO   LIFE  47 

affliction  to  me.  Brethren,  be  of  good  cheer. 
Young  men,  be  brave  for  the  truth  and  vaHant 
for  the  right.  Farewell,  dear  brethren  in  the 
Lord."  To  a  friend  he  said:  "My  work  is 
done.  I  cannot  see  now  to  read  the  Bible. 
I  can  no  longer  be  of  use  to  my  family  or 
others.  I  desire  to  go.  There  are  no  clouds, 
all  is  well." 

"Let  me  go  where  none  are  weary, 
Where  is  raised  no  wail  of  woe; 

Let  me  go  and  bathe  my  spirit 
In  the  raptures  angels  know." 


REV.  GEORGE  A.  MARK 

Early  in  1887  it  was  announced  to  Mr. 
Mark,  "The  Master  is  come,  and  calleth  for 
thee."  But  he  was  ready.  "I  have  no  fears 
for  the  future,"  he  said,  "I  have  been  pre- 
paring for  that  pretty  much  all  my  lifetime." 
When  assured  that  his  wife  would  be  cared 
for  in  her  old  days,  he  exclaimed  with  expres- 
sions of  rapture  on  his  face:  "Now  I  am 
ready  to  die.  O  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly." 
When  asked  if  he  had  any  word  to  leave  for 
his  ministerial  brethren,  he  said:  "Tell  them 
that  I  died  trusting  in  Jesus.  My  life-work 
is  done.  I  might  have  done  much  more,  and  if 
I  could  live  my  life  over,  I  would;  but  there  is 
no  condemnation.    All  is  peace."    When  asked 


48  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

if  he  found  it  safe  to  trust  his  Savior,  the 
reply  was,  ''Perfectly  safe.''  Thus,  after  a  min- 
istry of  more  than  a  third  of  a  century  in  the 
East  Pennsylvania  Conference,  this  veteran 
of  the  cross  passed  from  life  to  life. 

"Safe  in  the  arms  of  Jesus, 
Safe  on  his  gentle  breast; 
There  by  his  love  o'ershaded, 
Sweetly  thy  soul  shall  rest." 


REV.  J.  B.  RESLER 

A  good  man  is  God's  best  gift  to  men.  It 
were  as  possible  to  blot  the  majestic  mountain 
from  the  landscape  as  to  forget  or  ignore  the 
worth  of  great  men  in  God's  world  and  in 
Christ's  church.  J.  B.  Resler's  name  will 
long  live  in  the  Church  because  of  the  many 
years  of  loving  service  consecrated  at  her 
sacred  altars.  No  theme  to  him  was  so  pre- 
cious as  the  gospel  of  Christ,  and  no  work  so 
great  and  important  as  that  of  the  true  min- 
ister. During  his  last  days  he  penned  the 
following  to  one  of  his  children:  "There  is 
not  anything  that  would  please  me  better 
than  to  live  to  see  my  boys  consecrated  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry.  This  shall  be  my 
ardent  wish  and  prayer  to  God  till  my  latest 
breath.  What  is  wealth  or  fame  compared 
with  a  life  devoted  to  the  ministry?    The  longer 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  49 

I  live,  the  more  important  I  feel  it  to  be. 
Dear  children,  pray  with  me  that  such  may 
be  the  case.  When  I  give  up  my  stewardship 
I  would  like  to  say  to  the  Master:  "Here  are 
my  three  boys,  whom  thou  hast  given  me.  I 
yield  them.  Lord,  to  thee.    Amen." 

"We  are  traveling  home  to  God, 
In  the  way  our  fathers  trod; 
They  are  happy  now,  and  we 
Soon  their  happiness  shall  see." 


REV.  JAMES  W.  ROBERTSON 

"Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  for  his  mercy 
endureth  forever."  "Oh,  how  glorious!" 
Such  expressions  of  gratitude  and  praise  fell 
from  the  lips  of  Mr.  Robertson  as  he  lay 
dying.  Addressing  his  wife,  he  exclaimed: 
"Oh,  what  brightness!  Holy  angels!  Glorious 
foretaste!  No  more  pain!  Sing,  sing!"  When 
asked  if  he  wanted  a  drink  of  water  he  replied: 
"I  don't  want  any  water  now.  The  next  time 
I  drink  it  will  be  of  the  water  of  the  river  of 
life."  And  it  was  so.  In  the  transfer  of  this 
harbinger  of  peace  to  the  triumphant  church. 
Rock  River,  (now  Illinois  Conference)  lost  a 
young   man  of  great  promise. 

"Let  me  go,  for  bliss  eternal 
Lures  my  soul  away,  away, 
And  the  victor's  song  triumphant 
Thrills  my  heart — I  cannot  stay." 

From  Life  to  Life-4 


50  FROM    LIFE   TO    LIFE 

REV.  MOSES  GALLAGHER 

Life  was  ebbing  out  apace,  amid  the  deep- 
ening shadows,  when  Mr.  Gallagher  exclaimed: 
"Oh,  how  I  long  to  be  at  home!  I  will  get 
there  to-night."  Continuing,  he  said,  "I  have 
viewed  myself  on  the  brink  of  eternity,  and, 
glory  to  God,  death  has  lost  its  sting."  Thus 
another  child  of  grace  tested  and  found  true 
the  promises  of  the  Word. 

"A  man  of  God,  he  boldly  spake 
The  word  that  God  had  given, 
Then  calmly  slept,  to  soon  awake 
With  men  of  God  in  heaven." 


REV.  JAMES  WITT 

"Fight  the  good  fight  of  faith,  lay  hold  on 
eternal  life."  With  the  confidence  of  a  vic- 
torious warrior,  Mr.  Witt  exultantly  exclaimed 
in  his  last  moments:  "I  have  fought  the  good 
fight;  I  have  finished  my  course.  Oh,  what  a 
glorious  crown  now  appears  to  view."  Observ- 
ing his  friends  weeping,  he  continued:  "Weep 
not,  my  friends,  for  I  am  going  home.  Death 
is  no  terror.  So  farewell,  till  we  meet  in 
heaven." 

"Yet  again  we  hope  to  meet  thee 
When  the  day  of  life  is  fied; 
Then  in  heaven,  with  joy  to  greet  thee, 
Where  no  farewell  tears  are  shed." 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  51 

REV.  JOHN  T.  NEVILL 

At  the  request  of  this  devout  son  of  the 
gospel  a  sacramental  service  was  held  in  his 
room  just  before  he  died.  As  he  received  the 
bread  he  thoughtfully  remarked,  "This  rep- 
resents the  broken  body  of  my  Lord;  I  eat  it 
in  remembrance  of  him."  Likewise  when  he 
was  given  the  cup,  "This  represents  the  blood 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  shed  for  me  on  Cal- 
vary." Returning  the  cup  he  said,  "I  have 
eaten  and  drunk  with  you  for  the  last  time." 
His  last  audible  utterance  was,  "Going  to  rest." 

"Jesus,  the  very  thought  of  thee 
With  sweetness  fills  my  breast; 
But  sweeter  far  thy  face  to  see, 
And  in  thy  presence  rest." 


REV.  SAMUEL  MARTIN 

As  death  drew  near  to  this  old  pioneer  of 
the  Church  in  West  Virginia,  he  said  to  his 
daughter:  "Amy,  I  believe  I'm  going.  Glory 
to  God!"  To  a  brother  minister  he  gave  as- 
surance of  the  most  complete  trust  in  his 
Savior.  "I  am  almost  home,"  he  said.  "The 
stars  of  heaven  never  shone  more  brightly 
than  now.  There  is  not  a  cloud  between  my 
soul  and  Jesus." 


52  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

"Happy  change,  Oh,  happy  summons! 
Weary  pilgrim,  cease  to  roam; 
Come,  eternal  joys  inherit, 

'T  is  thy  Father  calls,  come  home." 


REV.  J.  C.  SPITLER 

Being  absent  from  home  when  overtaken 
by  his  last  illness,  Mr.  Spitler,  member  of  the 
Virginia  Conference,  put  on  record  a  beauti- 
ful testimony  in  a  very  affectionate  letter  ad- 
dressed to  his  wife.  "I  am  glad,"  he  wrote, 
"that  I  have  not  failed  to  pray.  Religion  is 
the  great  source  from  which  I  derive  comfort 
in  this  life,  and  in  its  enjoyment  I  expect  to 
pass  through  the  dark  valley.  Pray  for  me. 
My  soul  longs  for  those  endless  joys  which 
are  at  God's  right  hand.  My  heart  is  full  and 
overflowing." 

"These  chequered  wilds,  with  thorns  o'erspread, 
Through  which  our  way  so  oft  is  led; 
This  march  of  time,  if  faith  be  strong. 
Will  end  in  bliss,  't  will  not  be  long." 


REV.  JACOB  B.  KESSLER 

Among  the  ministers  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Conference,  as  it  was  constituted  a  half  cen- 
tury ago,  none,  perhaps,  wrought  more  suc- 
cessfully than  did  Mr.  Kessler.  As  the  day  of 
life  drew  to  a  close,   his  soul  was  filled  with 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  53 

that  peace  "which  passeth  all  understanding." 
Like  the  Christ  of  Gethsemane,  he  only  de- 
sired to  know  and  do  the  will  of  his  Heavenly 
Father.  "I  did  the  will  of  the  Lord,"  he  re- 
marked, "as  long  as  I  was  able;  now  I  am 
willing  to  suffer  his  will  as  long  as  he  sees  fit 
that  I  should."  When  asked  if  he  had  any 
feelings  of  guilt  or  fear,  he  answered  most 
positively,  "None  whatever;  my  work  is  done, 
my  course  is  finished,  and  I  patiently  wait  the 
Lord's  good  pleasure." 

"There  was  no  anguish  on  his  brow, 
No  terror  in  his  eye; 
The  spoiler  aimed  a  fatal  dart. 
But  lost  the  victory." 


REV.  PAUL  WAMBAUGH 

Bishop  Weaver  reached  the  bedside  of  this 
man  of  God  in  time  to  get  his  dying  testi- 
mony, which  was  most  assuring  and  comfort- 
ing. "What  an  attorney  we  have  in  heaven!'' 
said  Mr.  Wambaugh.  "How  ably  he  man- 
ages our  case!  He  is  my  only  hope!  I  want 
no  other.  Tell  the  people  I  am  the  sinner, 
but  Christ  is  the  Savior,  and  I  shall  be  with 
him  soon." 

"Death,  with  thy  weapons  of  war  lay  me  low; 
Strike,  King  of  terrors,  I  fear  not  thy  blow; 
Jesus  hath  broken  the  bars  of  the  tomb. 
Joyfully,  joyfully,  will  I  go  home." 


54  PROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

In  the  death  of  Mr.  Wambaugh,  Miami 
Conference  was  bereft  of  an  honored,  faithful 
member.  ^ 


REV.  SAMUEL  SEIDERS 

To  the  Rev.  Lewis  Peters,  a  brother  minister 
of  East  Pennsylvania  Conference,  Mr.  Seiders 
gave  the  following  testimony:  "All  is  well, 
I  stand  on  Jordan's  stormy  banks.  Only  a 
few  more  days,  at  most,  and  my  time  will 
cease;  but  there  is  not  a  cloud  between  the 
Savior  and  my  eyes."  Blessed  experience! 
Rapturous  vision! 

"Then  from  out  the  gathering  darkness, 
Holy,  deathless  stars  will  rise, 
By  whose  light  my  soul  will  gladly 
Wing  its  passage  to  the  skies." 


REV.  JACOB  E.  BOVEY 

The  Master  said,  "Lay  up  for  yourselves 
treasures  in  heaven  .  .  .  . :  for  where  your 
treasure  is,  there  will  your  heart  be  also." 
"Six  years,"  said  Mr.  Bovey,  "I  have  been 
preparing  for  a  happy  eternity.  All  is  well! 
all  is  well!"  When  asked  if  grace  sustained 
him  in  the  trying  ordeal  of  death,  he  replied: 
"Oh,  yes!  oh,  yes!  Truly,  truly."  So  passed 
away  another  member  of  Virginia  Con- 
ference. 


FROM    LIFE    TO   LIFE  55 

'By  and  by!    'T  will  not  be  long 

Ere  the  work  of  life  is  past, 
And  we  sing  the  glad  new  song, 

Face  to  face  with  God  at  last." 


REV.  L.  D.  PINKNEY 

Every  true  representative  of  the  cross  has  a 
pecuHar  affection  for  his  fellow  ministers.  God 
has  ordained  that  it  should  be  so.  And  at  no 
time  is  this  love  and  regard  more  manifest 
than  when  the  hour  of  final  separation  comes. 
Said  Mr.  Pinkney  to  his  wife:  "Tell  my 
brethren  it  is  well  with  me.  My  faith  is 
strong  in  the  Lord."  When  asked  how  he 
felt,  the  answer,  the  last  answer,  was,  "Oh, 
I  am  so  happy!" 

"Let  others  seek  a  home  below, 
Which  flames  devour,  or  waves  o'erflow, 
Be  mine  a  happier  lot,  to  own 
A  heav'nly  mansion  near  the  throne." 


REV.  JAMES  A.  ELLIOTT 

The  parting  words  of  Mr.  Elliott  to  the 
people  he  had  tried  to  serve,  in  his  afflictions, 
on  one  of  the  Iowa  Conference  circuits,  were 
very  tender,  and  melted  to  tears  all  who  heard 
him.  "Brethren  and  sisters,"  he  calmly  said, 
"I  must  leave  you  shortly,  to  see  you  no  more 
on  earth.  Often  during  the  past  year  I  was 
unable  to  serve  you,  but  I  never  heard  you 


56  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

complain.  You  have  been  good  to  me,  for 
which  you  have  my  thanks.  I  shall  soon  be 
in  eternity,  but  all  is  well.  I  wait  my  Mas- 
ter's command,  and  am  ready  to  go."  Rally- 
ing, he  added:  "I  have  only  strength  for  a 
few  more  words.  Brethren;  farewell!  In 
heaven  I  hope  to  meet  you  all,  where  death 
will  come  no  more." 

"We  shall  meet  who've  long  been  parted, 
All  the  sad  and  weary  hearted; 
There  no  gloomy  clouds  of  sorrow 
Shall  disturb  the  bright  to-morrow, 
But  sweet  peace  we  e'er  shall  borrow; 
We  shall  meet  again." 


REV.  HENRY  T.  BARCUS 

Religion  and  patriotism  go  together.  Loy- 
alty to  a  government  founded  upon  the  prin- 
ciples of  justice,  is  in  accord  with  the  gospel, 
and  well  pleasing  to  God.  It  was  early  in  the 
sixties  that  Mr.  Barcu^.  fell  on  the  battlefield, 
near  Perrysville,  Kentucky,  in  defense  of  the 
Union.  His  brother  John,  who  was  in  the 
same  company,  and  at  his  side,  asked  him  if 
he  was  badly  hurt.  "Yes,  I  am  killed,"  was 
the  reply,  "but  don't  fret  for  me.  The  Lord 
is  with  me."  A  few  moments  later  he  looked 
up  into  his  brother's  face  and  said,  "Fire 
away,  John;  this  Rebellion  must  be  put  down." 
After  he  had  been  carried  to  the  rear,  his  last 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  57 

charge  to  his  brother  was,  "Tell  father  to  meet 
me  in  heaven." 

"Take  the  crown;  before  thee  lies 
All  the  conquered  land  of  glory; 
Hark!  what  songs  of  triumph  rise; 
These  proclaim  the  victor's  story." 


REV.  CHRISTIAN  GRUMBLING 

Ere  this  faithful  member  of  Allegheny  Con- 
ference pushed  out  into  the  unseen,  his  breth- 
ren gathered  in  his  home  to  hold  a  prayer- 
meeting.  When  it  closed  he  was  in  a  state  of 
ecstasy,  and  praised  God  in  prospect  of  a  bet- 
ter home  beyond.  "Now,"  said  he,  "I  will 
soon  be  in  heaven.  Then  I  will  see  Abraham, 
Isaac,  and  Jacob,  Moses  and  Elijah,  David  and 
Daniel,  and,  best  of  all,  I'll  see  Jesus." 

"Beautiful  throne  of  Christ  our  king, 
Beautiful  songs  the  angels  sing, 
Beautiful  rest,  all  wanderings  cease, 
Beautiful  home  of  perfect  peace; 
Then  shall  my  eyes  the  Savior  see; 
Haste  to  this  heavenly  home  with  me." 


REV.  FRANCIS  M.  CORL 

The  East  Ohio  Conference  was  called  to 
mourn  the  departure  of  this  devout  ambassa- 
dor November  5,  1896.  Shortly  before  his 
death  he  called  his  brother  to  his  bedside  and 
asked  him  to  read  the  fourteenth  chapter  of 


58  FROM    LIFE    TO   LIFE 

John  and  offer  prayer.  His  last  request  was 
that  his  favorite  hymn,  "The  Christian's 
Home  in  Glory,"  be  sung,  during  which  he 
frequently  whispered,  "Beautiful  sentiment! 
Beautiful  sentiment." 

"Beyond  the  smiling  and  the  weeping, 
Beyond  the  waking  and  the  sleeping, 
Beyond  the  sowing  and  the  reaping, 
I  shall  be  soon." 


REV.  J.  E.  REAMES 

"I  know  whom  I  have  believed,  and  am 
persuaded  that  he  is  able  to  keep  that  which 
I  have  committed  unto  him  against  that  day." 
To  the  Rev.  A.  Reed,  a  fellow  worker  of  St. 
Joseph  Conference,  Mr.  Reames  gave  this, 
assurance  just  before  he  died:  "The  full  sal- 
vation which  I  experienced  six  months  ago 
saves  me  now.  My  time  has  come;  it  is 
nothing  to  die."  Then,  after  a  brief  audible 
prayer,  he  exclaimed,  "Glory  to  God!" 

"Now  to  the  God  of  victory 
Immortal  thanks  be  paid, 
Who  makes  us  conquerors  while  we  die, 
Through  Christ,  our  living  head." 


REV.  CHRISTIAN  SHOPP 

To  a  brother  minister  Mr.  Shopp  bore  this 
beautiful  testimony,  in  view  of  his  approaching 
end:      "I    know    that    my    Redeemer    liveth." 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  59 

Faith,  however,  though  strong  and  unwaver- 
ing, did  not  fully  satisfy  him.  He  longed  to 
be  at  rest  in  the  immediate  presence  of  his 
Lord.  "I  have  waited  so  long,"  he  said,  "but 
Jesus  has  not  taken  me  yet.  Oh,  that  he  would 
come!"  Then  raising  his  eyes  heavenward, 
he  prayed,  "Lord  Jesus,  give  me  patience  to 
wait  and  suffer  thy  will."  The  prayer  was 
answered.  His  devotion  to  Jesus,  and  to  the 
Miami  Conference,  in  which  so  many  days  of 
toil  had  been  spent,  having  been  tested,  the 
chariot  drew  near,  and  he  was  borne  from  life 
to  life. 

"Weary  of  wandering  round  and  round 
This  vale  of  sin  and  gloom, 
I  long  to  quit  th'  unhallowed  ground, 
And  dwell  with  Christ  at  home." 


REV.  ISAAC  WARE 

To  a  co-laborer  of  White  River  Conference, 
this  man  of  God  made  the  following  state- 
ment shortly  before  his  death:  "When  I 
think  of  leaving  the  Church  and  my  family,  I 
confess  I  have  a  desire  to  remain  awhile  that 
I  may  enjoy  their  company  and  work  for  the 
Master;  but  if  I  must  die,  it  is  all  right.  Then 
I  shall  be  free  from  sorrow  and  pain;  and  as 
to  friends,  I  have  more  in  heaven  than  I  have 
on  earth.     When   I   think  of  being  free  from 


60  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

all  sorrow,  of  meeting  departed  loved  ones, 
and  of  seeing  Jesus  as  he  is,  I  know  it  would 
be  far  better  to  be  absent  from  the  body  and 
present  with  the  Lord."  His  last  whispered 
utterances  were,  "Jesus  saves  me  now." 

"There  saints  of  all  ages  in  harmony  meet, 
Their  Savior  and  brethren  transported  to  greet; 
While  anthems  of  rapture  unceasingly  roll, 
And  the  smile  of  the  Lord  is  the  feast  of  the  soul." 


REV.  ELISHA  FLAUGH 

This  life  does  not  end  all.  The  grave  does 
not  bound  human  existence.  Faith,  pene- 
trating the  darkness  about  us,  discovers  a 
nightless  land  beyond.  When  Mr.  Flaugh,  a 
trusted  and  trusting  servant  of  West  Des 
Moines  (now  Iowa)  Conference,  realized  the 
near  approach  of  the  death  messenger,  he 
said  to  the  Rev.  J.  Simpson:  "I  have  suffered 
long  enough  in  this  world;  I  am  ready  to  go  if 
it  is  the  Lord's  will.  Meet  me  in  heaven, 
where  we  will  die  no  more." 

"A  few  more  days,  a  few  more  years, 
By  storms  and  tempest  driven, 
With  songs,  and  everlasting  joy. 
We  all  shall  meet  in  heaven." 


REV.  D.  D.  LIGHTNER 

"It    is    true,"     said     Mr.     Lightner,     "that 
'perfect   love   caste th   out   fear."'     When   told 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  61 

that  his  pulse  could  no  longer  be  felt,  he 
exclaimed,  "Thank  God,  my  suffering  will 
soon  be  over!"  An  eye-witness  says  that 
when  he  was  too  far  gone  to  speak,  he  looked 
around  upon  those  present  and  smiled,  as  if  to 
say,  "All  is  well."  The  departure  of  this 
faithful  herald  added  another  name  to  the 
death-roll  of  St.  Joseph  Conference. 

"How  blest  the  righteous  when  he  dies! 
When  sinks  a  weary  soul  to  rest, 
How  mildly  beam  the  closing  eyes, 

How  gently  heaves  the  expiring  breath!" 


REV.  A.  LACKEY 

When  he  saw  his  daughter  Maggie  weep- 
ing, in  view  of  the  separation  soon  to  occur, 
Mr.  Lackey,  in  a  tender,  fatherly  way,  sought 
to  console  her.  "Don't  fret  for  me,"  he  said; 
"it  is  all  right."  Then  turning  to  his  two 
other  daughters,  he  continued,  "Be  good 
children;  love  Jesus;  love  your  mother."  When 
told  that  the  physician  had  said  he  could  live 
only  a  few  hours,  he  rapturously  exclaimed, 
"Praise  the  Lord!  Thank  God  for  the  hope 
of  the  Christian."  He  was  a  member  of  Penn- 
sylvania Conference. 

"Yes,  our  brother's  course  is  run! 
Ended  is  the  glorious  strife; 
Fought  the  fight,  the  work  is  done; 
Death  is  swallowed  up  in  life." 


62  FROM   LIFE   TO   LIFE 

REV.  ALVIN  ROSE 

Twenty-three  years  of  loyal  service  were 
given  to  the  Sandusky  Conference  by  Mr. 
Rose.  Being  filled  with  God's  love,  he 
made  the  world  brighter,  God's  thought 
clearer,  man's  duty  simpler,  and  life's  burdens 
easier  to  be  borne.  His  reward  was  sure. 
Toward  the  end  of  his  days  his  bodily  suffer- 
ings were  exceedingly  severe,  but  grace — the 
all-sustaining,  all-conquering  grace  of  God — 
was  abundant.  To  his  wife  he  said,  with 
feelings  somewhat  depressed,  "I  am  in  the 
valley,  but  not  through  yet";  then  in  a  few 
moments  his  countenance  fairly  beamed  with 
joy,  and,  with  uplifted  hands,  he  shouted:  "It 
is  all  bright  now!  All  is  glory!  Glory, 
glory!" 

"Falter  not,  for  Christ  is  leading, 
He  will  roll  the  mist  away; 
In  the  sweeter  fields  of  Eden 
We  shall  rest  at  break  of  day." 


REV.  JOHN  RUSSEL 

This  honored  minister  of  peace  gave  to  God 
and  the  Church  a  loving  service  which  ex- 
tended through  a  period  of  fifty-five  years. 
At  the  close  of  a  camp-meeting  which  he  at- 
tended shortly  before  his  death,  he  said  to 
Rev.  C.  T.  Stearn,  of  the  same  conference, 
"Now  I   am  going  home  to  die."     His  work, 


FROM    LIFE   TO  LIFE  63 

he  declared,  was  done,  and  it  was  so.  Next 
to  his  last  day  on  earth  he  said:  "I  am  quite 
ill,  but  I  feel  so  comfortable  in  my  mind — so 
comfortable." 

"E'en  down  to  old  age  all  my  people  shall  prove 
My  sovereign,  eternal,  unchangeable  love; 
And  when  hoary  hairs  shall  their  temples  adorn, 
Like  lambs  they  shall  still  in  my  bosom  be  borne." 


REV.  WILLIAM  SMITH 

Ere  this  faithful  messenger  of  "good  tidings" 
quit  the  Scioto  (now  South  East  Ohio)  Confer- 
ence for  the  heavenly  home,  he  joyously  testified 
to  the  all-sufficiency  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  to 
comfort  the  soul  in  the  last  trying  ordeal.  "That 
grace,"  he  said,  "which  I  loved  so  well  to 
preach  to  others  comforts  me  now."  Just  be- 
fore he  died  he  called  for  the  old  family  Bible, 
and  after  looking  at  it  and  pressing  it  to  his 
face,  as  a  prized  treasure,  he  gave  it  back, 
with  the  remark,  "That  will  do." 

"Holy  Bible,  book  divine, 
Precious  treasure,  thou  art  mine; 
Mine  to  show,  by  living  faith, 
Man  can  triumph  over  death." 


REV.  BENJAMIN  PATTERSON 

One  who  was  present  during  Mr.  Patterson's 
last  illness  declared  that  the  heavenly  influ- 
ence which  pervaded  his  room  could  be  felt  by 
all  who  visited  him.     After  giving  his  family, 


64  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

one  by  one,  an  affectionate  adieu,  he  said, 
"Tell  all  that  I  am  sweetly  going  home."  His 
last  audible  word  was  "Home." 

"Above  the  waves  of  earthly  strife; 
Above  the  ills  and  cares  of  life; 
Where  all  is  peaceful,  bright  and  fair, 
My  home  is  there,  my  home  is  there." 

Mr.     Patterson's    membership    was    in    St. 
Joseph  Conference. 


REV.  AUGUST  KRAUSE 

Though  a  member  of  the  Ohio  German 
Conference,  Mr.  Krause  was  pastor  of  the  old 
Otterbein  Church  in  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
when  he  heard  the  final  summons,  "Arise  ye, 
and  depart;  for  this  is  not  your  rest." 

Sabbath  morning,  April  26,  1885,  he 
preached  with  unusual  unction  and  effect 
from  the  text,  "And  the  very  God  of  peace 
sanctify  you  wholly;  and  I  pray  God  your 
whole  spirit  and  soul  and  body  be  preserved 
blameless  unto  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ."  It  was  his  last  sermon  and  testi- 
mony. He  called  the  congregation  to  prayer, 
and  went  down  on  his  knees  to  rise  no  more. 
Becoming  unconscious  he  was  carried  to  his 
room,  where  he  died  in  a  few  hours. 

"In  the  bright,  eternal  city, 

Death  can  never,  never  come; 
In  His  own  good  time  He'll  call  us 
From  our  toil,  to  home,  sweet  home." 


FROM    LIFE    TO   LIFE  65 

REV.  E.  N.  GRAVES 

This  faithful  itinerant  of  Osage  (now  Kan- 
sas) Conference  approached  the  end  with 
an  earnest  prayer  to  God  for  "grace  for  the 
last  struggle."  To  Rev.  D.  Baughman  he 
said:  "I  want  you  to  take  charge  of  the  upper 
part  of  my  circuit  and  keep  up  the  appoint- 
ments till  conference;  and  tell  Brother  Chambers 
to  do  the  same  with  the  lower  part  of  the 
circuit.  But  be  sure  to  tell  the  brethren  and 
sisters  all  over  the  work  that  there  is  not  a 
cloud  between  me  and  God." 

"There  is  no  death!    What  seems  so  is  transition; 
This  life  of  mortal  breath 
Is  but  a  suburb  of  the  life  elysian, 
Whose  portal  we  call  death." 


REV.  C.  F.  BOWERS 

A  ripe  sheaf  was  this  father  for  the  heavenly 
garner.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  by  Bishop 
Coons  at  Mt.  Pleasant,  Pennsylvania,  in  1844, 
and  went  to  the  heavenly  home  sixty-three 
years  later,  at  the  ripe  age  of  eighty-six.  "I  do 
not  think  I  shall  be  sick,  or  suffer,  or  linger  long," 
he  said,  "I  have  asked  God  for  a  speedy  release 
without  pain,  and  I  believe  he  will  grant  it. 
God,  our  Heavenly  Father,  bless  you  all;  meet 
me  in  heaven." 

From  Life  to  Life- 5 


66  FROM   LIFE   TO   LIFE 


"The  parting  sigh  their  fetters  breaks; 
We  scarce  can  say,  'They're  gone'; 
Before  the  willing  spirit  takes 
Its  station  near  the  throne." 


REV.  G.  B.  PERKS 

"Be  ye  also  ready."  So  Jesus  commands, 
and  "blessed  are  those  servants  whom  the  Lord 
when  he  cometh  shall  find  watching."  At  the 
age  of  seventy,  having  been  a  minister  fifty-five 
years,  Mr.  Perks  said  in  his  last  moments:  "I 
am  not  packing  up,  but  am  ready  to  go.  I  am 
ready  to  be  packed."  When  asked  by  his  son 
if  the  grace  of  God  still  sustained  him,  he 
answered,  "It  does,  my  lad,  it  does."  He  was 
translated  from  Clearfield,  Pennsylvania. 


BISHOP  JONATHAN  WEAVER 

To  the  believer  death  is  a  veritable  exodus. 
Not  an  arrest,  but  a  rescue;  not  an  imprison- 
ment, but  an  enfranchisement.  It  comes  not  to 
increase  his  troubles,  but  to  end  them;  not  to 
impair  his  joys  but  to  complete  them. 

Jonathan  Weaver  believed  all  this,  and 
richly  experienced  its  truth.  His  last  message  to 
the  Church  was:  "I  have  no  doubt  as  to  the 
truth  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ.  I  believed 
what  I  preached,  and  preached  what  I  believed. 
I  die  in  the  faith  of  the  gospel  I  preached  to 


FROM   LIFE   TO   LIFE  67 

Others.  Jesus  Christ  is  all,  and  in  all.  Tell  the 
brethren  never  to  depart  from  the  doctrines 
held  by  the  fathers,  that  a  vital  union  with 
Christ  is  essential  to  the  Christian  life."  His 
last  utterances  were:  "I  shall  see  the  King  in 
his  beauty.  I  feel  perfectly  safe."  He  was 
born  February  23,  1824,  converted  and  joined 
the  United  Brethren  Church  when  seventeen, 
licensed  to  preach  by  the  Muskingum  (now 
East  Ohio)  Conference  in  1847,  elected  bishop 
in  1865,  and  left  earth  for  glory  February  6,  1901. 

"When  the  darkness  melts  away 
At  the  breaking  of  the  day, 
Bids  us  hail  the  cheering  ray, 
Light  forever  more." 


REV.  G.  P.  MACKLIN,  D.D. 

This  man  of  God  was  called  home  December  8, 
1917,  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years.  His 
death  was  gloriously  triumphant.  To  a  number 
of  friends  who  called  on  him  at  the  same  time, 
he  said,  "The  gospel  I  have  preached  the 
greater  part  of  my  life  sustains  me  now."  He 
closed  his  talk  by  reciting  several  stanzas  of 
Whittier's  "Eternal  Goodness."  As  he  repeated 
the  lines,  "I  know  I  shall  not  drift  beyond  his 
love  and  care,"  a  halo  of  light  seemed  to  en- 
circle his  face.  At  another  time,  and  when 
alone  with  his  faithful  wife,  he  recited  the  same 
lines,  wept  like  a  child,  and  held  out  his  hand 
as  if  trying  to  clasp  that  of  an  unseen  friend. 


68  FROM    LIFE   TO    LIFE 

To  a  brother  minister  he  said:  "I  have  dying 
grace.  Whatever  the  Lord  wills  for  me  is  all 
right."  Though  a  member  of  Florida  Confer- 
ence, he  was  interred  in  Woodland  Cemetery  at 
Dayton,  Ohio. 

"Henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me 
A  crown  of  righteousness." 


REV.  J.  W.  FULKERSON 

"Thine  eyes  shall  see  the  King  in  his  beauty; 
they  shall  behold  the  land  that  is  very  far  off." 
This  hero  of  the  west,  after  enduring  "hardness 
as  a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ,"  could  say 
when  the  end  came:  "I  am  jealous  for  God's 
truth.  The  more  of  the  Bible  we  have  woven 
into  our  lives  the  richer  our  experience,  and  the 
brighter  our  hope  of  heaven.  If  I  had  my  life 
to  live  over  I  should  spend  it  in  the  Church  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ.  The  name  is 
richer  and  sweeter  to  me  now  than  ever  before." 
He  was  born  in  Frederick  County,  Virginia, 
January  16,  1822,  and  departed  this  life  at  the 
age  of  eighty-seven.  He  was  a  member  of 
Minnesota  Conference. 

"The  evening  and  the  morning  were  the  first  day." 


REV.  M.  D.  M.  ALTICE 

Just  before  Mr.  Altice  had  one  of  his  lower 
limbs  amputated,  and  from  which  operation  he 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  69 

soon  died,  he  remarked,  "If  I  survive  I  shall  win; 
if  I  do  not,  I  shall  win  anyhow."  To  his  pre- 
siding elder  he  said,  "Tell  the  friends  I  am  all 
right."  His  last  audible  words  were:  "Mother! 
Mother!"  as  if  calling  for  her.  Possibly  she  came. 
He  was  long  an  honored  and  active  member  of 
Erie  Conference.  The  death  summons  came 
April  15,  1905. 

"Dust,  to  its  narrow  house  beneath; 
Soul,  to  its  peace  on  high; 
They  who  have  seen  thy  look  in  death, 
No  more  may  fear  to  die." 
"Then  shall  I  know." 


REV.  W.  C.  SMITH 

This  gospel  herald  was  born  in  the  flesh  near 
Winchester,  Virginia,  September  23,  1822,  and 
reached  heaven  from  his  home  in  Westfield, 
Illinois,  October  27,  1905.  After  a  long,  fruitful 
ministry  he  could  say  before  going  hence:  "My 
work  is  done;  I  am  homesick.  I  want  to  go. 
Most  of  my  associates  are  there.  I  have  asked 
God  to  send  the  chariot  for  me.  I  think  he 
will  soon."  And  it  was  done  as  he  had  prayed. 
Glory. 

"Living  or  dying,  Lord, 
I  ask  but  to  be  thine; 
My  life  in  thee,  thy  life  in  me. 
Make  heaven  forever  mine." 


70  FROM    LIFE   TO    LIFE 

DR.  I.  L.  KEPHART 

This  noble  pastor,  chaplain,  college 
president  and  editor,  was  born  in  Clearfield 
County,  Pennsylvania,  December  10,  1832,  and 
was  admitted  into  Allegheny  Conference  in 
1859.  After  a  career  of  great  prominence  in  the 
Church  he  left  earth  for  heaven  in  October  of 
1908.  His  experience  as  a  Christian  was  definite, 
his  ideals  were  lofty,  his  life  was  pure  as  a  sun 
beam,  and  his  faith  in  God  was  unfaltering. 

A  few  days  before  death  came  he  wrote:  "I 
have  tried  to  live  a  Christian  life.  I  die  the 
Christian  death — a  sinner  saved  by  grace, 
through  faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  the  divine  son  of 
God.  In  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  Amen." 
On  his  seventy-fifth  birthday  he  wrote: 

"Come,  welcome  death,  to  me  a  friend; 
You  bring  me  to  my  journey's  end; 
I  hear  the  sounding  of  your  feet, 
Extend  my  hand,  your  coming  greet, 
You  open  for  me  my  prison  door. 
Why  did  you  not  do  so  before? 
As  I  leave  this  world  of  sin, 
And  to  the  world  of  bliss  pass  in, 
Oh,  welcome  death,  life's  battle's  o'er, 
I  soar  away  to  die  no  more." 

"And  there  shall  be  no  more  death." 


REV.  A.  A.  SELLERS 

Among  the  early  United  Brethren  missionaries 
in  Iowa,  no  one  meant  more  to  the  Church  than 


FROM    LIFE   TO   LIFE  71 

did  this  godly  man.  His  sacrifices  were  con- 
stant and  great,  and  his  faith  was  mighty  and 
overcoming.  He  was  born  in  Rockingham, 
Virginia,  February  20,  1808,  and  died  at  a  ripe 
age.  In  his  last  days  he  wrote:  "And  now  my 
sun  is  fast  declining.  The  shadows  are  length- 
ening, and  I  am  far  down  the  western  slope; 
but  my  faith  is  strong,  my  hope  is  firm,  and  my 
prospects  are  bright.  The  Lord  has  no  more 
for  me  to  do." 

"When  a  great  man  dies, 
For  years  beyond  our  ken, 
The  life  he  leaves  behind  him 
Lies  upon  the  paths  of  men." 


REV.  O.  D.  CONE 

To  the  good  man  death  is  an  apocalypse. 
As  "night  showeth  knowledge"  by  revealing  to 
us  the  vastness  of  creation,  so  death  unveils  to 
us  the  mysteries  and  glories  of  the  life  to  come. 
Near  the  close  of  Mr.  Cone's  life  one  beautiful 
Sunday  afternoon,  he  seemed  to  be  looking  at 
something  away  off.  Then  he  said  to  his 
anxious  wife,  "I  have  been  down  near  the 
river."  "And  what  did  you  see?"  was  asked. 
"Oh,  it  is  beautiful,"  he  replied.  Then,  as  the 
sun  was  setting,  he  said:  "God  is  coming.  Tell 
father  I  died  at  my  post."  Then  with  a  smile  he 
closed  his  eyes.    This  was  on  June  14,  1885. 


73  PROM    LIFE   TO    LIFE 

"The  thin  cloud-veil  between  us 
Is  mere  dissolving  breath; 
One  heavens  surround,  and  screen  us; 
And  where  art  thou,  O  death?" 


REV.  JOHN  KLEINFELTER 

The  man  who  sincerely  preaches  reconcilia- 
tion through  the  Cross  knows  himself  what 
pardon  means.  "Oh,  God  is  so  good  to  me,"  said 
this  faithful  witness.  "He  has  forgiven  all  my 
sins,  and  set  me  before  him  as  though  I  had 
never  sinned."  Saying  this  he  bade  adieu  to 
earth,  January  23,  1903.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  old  DesMoines,  (now  Iowa)  Conference. 

"When  God  is  mine,  and  I  am  his, 
Of  Paradise  possessed, 
I  taste  unutterable  bliss, 
And  everlasting  rest." 


REV.  W.  E.  PARK 

At  the  age  of  forty-eight  Mansfield,  Ohio, 
was  made  poorer  in  moral  goodness,  but  heaven 
richer,  because  W.  E.  Park  died.  "What  is 
man  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him?"  he  ex- 
claimed. "Jesus  is  precious.  I  have  gotten  the 
victory.    Sing,  O,  sing,  'Joy  unto  the  Lord'." 

"I  find  him  lifting  up  my  head. 
He  brings  salvation  near; 
His  presence  makes  me  free  indeed, 
And  he  will  soon  appear." 


FKOM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  73 

REV.  D.  R.  BURKHOLDER 

This  servant  of  the  Pennsylvania  Conference, 
at  the  age  of  sixty-four,  entered  within  the  veil 
with  this  testimony:  "This  world  has  nothing 
for  me.  I  am  so  strangely  drawn  toward  the 
other  side.  The  curtain  between  us  seems  thin. 
I  want  to  go  home." 

"Only  a  little  while, 

For  toiling  a  few  short  days; 
Then  comes  the  rest,  the  quiet  rest, 
Eternity's  endless  praise." 


REV.  J.  G.  SHUEY 

Calmly  and  thoughtfully  this  servant  of  the 
Most  High  said  to  a  brother  pastor:  "Good  by; 
we  shall  not  meet  here  again,  but  will  meet  over 
there.  I  want  you  to  attend  my  funeral.  I  so 
much  desired  to  complete  my  year's  work,  but 
the  Lord  has  called  me  to  my  rest."  Then  a 
waiting  chariot  received  him,  and  one  of  Lower 
Wabash's  faithful  pastors  went  home. 

"Then  let  our  sorrows  cease  to  flow; 
God  has  recalled  his  own; 
But  let  our  hearts  in  every  woe, 
Still  say,  'Thy  will  be  done.'" 


REV.  J.  W.  CLARK 

"Thou  shalt  go  to  thy  fathers  in  peace;  thou 
shalt  be  buried  in  a  good  old  age."     How  true 


74  FROM    LIFE   TO   LIFE 

these  words  when  applied  to  father  Clark  who 
lived  to  be  nearly  ninety- two  years  old,  having 
spent  forty-eight  years  as  a  gospel  messenger. 
When  too  old  and  too  sick  to  attend  church 
regularly,  services  were  held  in  his  home.  His 
last  sermon  was  preached  there,  though  he  was 
so  feeble  he  was  obliged  to  lean  on  two  canes. 
His  sun  went  down  without  a  cloud.  To  his 
faithful  wife  he  addressed  his  last  words: 
"Come,  mother,  let's  go  home."  He  was  a 
member  of  Erie  Conference. 

"Deathless  principle,  arise; 
Soar,  thou  native  of  the  skies! 
Pearl  of  price  by  Jesus  brought 
To  his  glorious  likeness  wrought." 


REV.  COLUMBUS  HALL 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  born  in  Lewis 
County,  West  Virginia,  and  died  June  27,  1906, 
at  the  age  of  fifty-three.  When  fourteen  he  was 
converted  and  joined  the  United  Brethren 
Church  and  was  licensed  to  preach  before  he 
was  twenty.  After  an  illness  of  many  months, 
and  when  he  saw  that  he  could  not  get  well,  he 
planned  for  his  funeral,  and  the  adjustment  of 
his  affairs,  with  much  thoughtfulness  and  care. 
When  some  one  referred  to  his  unusual  delib- 
eration he  simply  replied:  "Oh,  it  is  a  matter  of 
trust.  If  we  believe  the  doctrine  we  preach, 
why  should  we  not  be  calm?"    To  his  physician 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  75 

he  said,  "Doctor,  will  I  suffer  more  than  I  have 
already  suffered?"  "No,"  was  the  assurance. 
"There  will  be  nothing  harder  than  what  you 
have  already  borne."  "I  think  I  am  dying 
now.  Is  this  all  there  is  to  death?"  Dr.  Sanders 
who  stood  by  suggested,  "It  will  not  be  long  till 
you  see  your  dear  wife  and  the  Master  you  have 
served  so  long,  face  to  face."  With  tears  of 
joy  trickling  down  his  cheeks  he  replied:  "Oh, 
I  wish  I  could  see  them  now.  Tell  the  people 
I  died  in  the  faith  of  the  gospel  I  have  preached. 
Oh,  it  is  so  sweet  to  preach  Jesus." 

To  the  writer,  whom  he  met  in  Dayton,  Ohio, 
a  few  months  before  he  died,  he  not  only  ex- 
pressed great  faith  in  his  Savior  but  seemed 
full  of  joy  over  the  thought  that  heaven  was 
drawing  nearer  every  day.  His  was  a  wonderful 
experience.  At  the  time  of  his  crowning  he  was 
a  member  of  Miami  Conference. 

"Sleep,  dear  brother,  weary  pilgrim, 
In  thy  blissful  slumbers  rest; 
With  the  closing  of  thine  eye  lids, 
Thou  hast  been  supremely  blest." 


REV.  JACOB  RUNK 

This  noble  son  of  the  Church,  and  messenger 
of  the  Word,  departed  from  earth  September  9, 
1915,  a  little  above  eighty  years  of  age.  He  was 
a  member  of  East  Pennsylvania  Conference, 
and  a  preacher  fifty-eight  years.  His  sunset 
was  cloudless,   and  the  "evening  time  became 


76  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

radiant  with  the  light  of  the  throne."  In  his 
last  days  the  Holy  Spirit  gave  him  a  wonderful 
fullness  of  joy.  In  closing  a  description  of  it  to 
his  son,  Dr.  I.  E.  Runk,  he  said,  "It  is  all  the 
grace  of  God."  Going  to  heaven  was  only 
changing  "from  glory  to  glory." 

After  many  years  spent  in  the  active  work 
of  the  ministry,  how  appropriately  it  may  be 
said  of  him,  "And  they  that  be  wise  shall  shine 
as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament;  and  they 
that  turn  many  to  righteousness  as  the  stars  for 
ever  and  ever." 

"My  knowledge  of  that  life  is  small; 
I'm  living  in  the  rim: 
But  't  is  enough  that  Christ  knows  all, 
And  I  shall  be  with  him." 


REV.  A.  C.  SCOTT 

"God's  finger  touched  him  and  he  slept." 
This  brother  had  been  a  member  of  the  Indiana 
Conference  nearly  a  third  of  a  century,  and 
served  it  well.  God  gave  him  a  long  life  of 
eighty  years.  In  his  last  hours  he  said:  "My 
youngest  son  who  died  at  the  age  of  six  used  to 
be  so  glad  when  he  would  see  me  coming  home, 
and  wave  me  a  welcome  with  his  little  hand.  I 
think  he  is  still  looking  for  me,  and  will  say,  'I 
see  father  coming." 


FROM   LIFE   TO   LIFE  77 

"We  shall  know  as  we  are  known, 
Never  more  to  walk  alone; 
In  the  dawning  of  the  morning, 
When  the  mist  is  rolled  away." 


REV.  R.  E.  GRAVES 

After  spending  twenty-four  years  in  the 
ministry  of  the  Church  in  Iowa,  this  comrade  in 
service  died  June  27,  1915.  The  last  call  was 
calmly  waited.  He  would  often  have  his  family 
and  friends  sing,  "God  will  Take  Care  of 
You,"  and  then  directing  his  remarks  to  his 
companion,  say:  "That  means  you.  Don't 
you  know  it  does?"  One  of  his  last  utterances 
was,  "God's  way  is  my  way." 

"Say,  why  should  friendship  grieve  for  those, 
Who  safe  arrive  on  Canaan's  shore? 
Released  from  all  their  vengeful  foes, 
They  are  not  lost,  but  gone  before." 


REV.  T.  R.  SPRAGUE 

At  the  ripe  age  of  seventy-eight  this  brother, 
a  member  of  what  was  then  known  as  North- 
west Kansas  Conference,  heard  the  last  call, 
and  bade  his  friends  adieu.  Sixty  years  before 
he  had  been  brought  to  know  Jesus  as  a  personal 
Savior,  and  during  all  this  period  remained 
faithful  to  his  altar  vows. 


78  FROM   LIFE   TO   LIFE 

His  faithful  helper  in  the  Lord  had  preceded 
him  to  the  throne  only  a  few  days.  When  Rev. 
E.  R.  Baber,  his  presiding  elder,  visited  him  for 
the  last  time  he  was  not  recognized  by  the  old 
saint.  His  sight  was  dim,  and  his  mind  wand- 
ered. But  when  the  elder  asked,  "Brother 
Sprague,  do  you  know  Jesus?"  the  instant  reply 
was,  "Oh, yes, and  he  knows  me,  too."  And  with 
this  assurance  he  was  off  for  the  heavenly  home. 

"Aches  and  pains  are  all  forgotten, 
In  the  balm  the  Lord  supplies; 
And  thy  youth  thou  art  renewing, 
In  the  realm  of  paradise." 


REV.  A.  E.  FULTON 

Brother  Fulton,  the  farmer,  the  teacher,  the 
soldier,  the  preacher,  was  prominent  in  Christian 
service  fifty-five  years,  and  in  the  ministry 
forty-six  years,  all  of  which  were  spent  in  the 
pastorate  except  ten  years.  When  the  end  came, 
his  testimony  was,  "I  do  not  know  whether  I 
will  get  well  or  not,  but  I  am  fully  reconciled, 
and  adhere  firmly  to  the  faith  and  religion  I 
preached  to  others,  being  assured  of  the  saving 
power  of  Christ."  He  was  a  member  of  Alle- 
gheny Conference,  and  departed  for  the  glorious 
unseen  September  14,  1916,  at  the  ripe  age  of 
seventy-eight. 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  79 

"Oh,  death!  the  poor  man's  dearest  friend, 
The  kindest  and  the  best! 
Welcome  the  hour  my  aged  limbs 
Are  laid  with  thee  at  rest! 
The  great,  the  wealthy,  fear  thy  blow, 
From  pomp  and  pleasure  torn; 
But,  oh,  a  blest  relief  to  those 
That  weary-laden  mourn." 


REV.  WILLIAM  CADMAN 

The  Christian's  death  is  not  a  defeat,  but  a 
deliverance;  not  a  capture,  but  an  escape.  The 
grave  is  not  a  prison,  but  a  sure  and  peaceful 
refuge.  WilHam  Cadman,  an  honored  member 
of  Erie  Conference,  after  forty-nine  years  spent 
in  the  ministry  of  the  Church,  heard  the  final 
call  January  11,  1900,  when  in  his  seventy-third 
year.  When  the  last  prayer  was  offered  at  his 
bedside,  his  soul  became  ecstatic,  and  looking 
through  the  lifted  veil,  he  exclaimed,  "Beautiful, 
beautiful,  how  beautiful  beyond  the  stream!" 

"  'Beautiful!  beautiful!'  he  saw  the  gleam 
And  said,  'How  beautiful  beyond  the  stream!' 
He  stood  one  foot  on  life's  retiring  shore. 
And  dipped  the  other  in  the  waves  before." 


REV.  GEORGE  W.  STATTON 

This  hero  of  a  thousand  battles  was  a  minister 
sixty-three  years,  and  in  the  active  work  most 
of   the   time.      In    1897    he    told    the   General 


80  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

Conference  at  Lisbon,  Iowa,  his  experience  a 
little  while  before  when  he  thought  the  end  had 
come.  "I  never  was  so  happy  in  my  life,"  he 
said.  "I  could  hear  the  bells  of  heaven  ringing. 
The  gates  swung  open,  and  I  was  permitted  to 
look  into  the  glory  world."  On  the  eighth  of 
August,  1908,  he  received  his  passport  to 
"Father's  House,"  and  again  heard  the  bells 
ring,  and  saw  the  unspeakable  glory.  He  first 
joined  the  Virginia  Conference,  but  died  a 
member  of  Iowa  Conference. 

"I  shall  behold  thy  face  in  righteousness; 
I  shall  be  satisfied,  when  I  awake,  with  thy  likeness." 


REV.  ALEXANDER  BIDDLE 

This  dear  father  and  pioneer,  in  his  last  days, 
gave  expression  to  the  most  beautiful  sentiments 
touching  his  faith  in  the  gospel  and  his  hope  of 
heaven.  He  wrote:  "I  am  feeling  keenly  the 
burden  of  almost  eighty-seven  years.  As  to  the 
future,  I  am  living  by  the  day  with  a  bright 
prospect  of  the  heirship  of  eternal  life.  In  the 
quiet  of  my  lonely  home,  my  soul  feasts  on  the 
riches  of  divine  grace.  The  time  of  the  sunset 
has  come,  and  its  tints  are  those  of  a  golden 
autumn  day.  The  sun  is  going  down  without  a 
cloud,  and  as  the  earthly  is  fading  out  of  sight, 
the  heavenly  breaks  upon  my  vision  and  I  long 
to  be  at  home  in  the  bright,  eternal  day  which 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  81 

has  no  sunset."  Mr.  Biddle  was  transferred  to 
the  Church  triumphant  February  1,  1899, 
having  been  a  minister  sixty-eight  years.  His 
membership  was  with  the  Sandusky  Conference. 

"Hail,  perfected  immortals! 
Even  now  we  bid  you  hail! 
We  at  the  blood-stained  portals, 
And  ye  within  the  veil." 


BISHOP  JOHN  DICKSON 

This  noted  figure  in  the  United  Brethren 
Church  was  born  June  15,  1820,  and  was  trans- 
lated from  life  to  life  February  22,  1907.  He 
joined  the  Pennsylvania  Conference  in  1847, 
and  so  was  an  honored  member  of  that  con- 
ference for  sixty  years.  His  son,  William  A., 
has  been  a  member  of  the  same  conference  for 
forty-four  years,  making  a  combined  record  of 
104  years  for  father  and  son.  In  1869  he  was 
elected  bishop,  and  served  the  Church  in  that 
relation  twenty-four  years. 

When  the  testing  hour  came  his  children  and 
pastor,  C.  W.  Brewbaker,  were  at  his  side.  In 
response  to  John  14:1-3,  "Let  not  your  hearts  be 
troubled,"  and  so  forth,  he  replied  distinctly, 
and  with  fervor,  "Bless  the  Lord,"  and  was  gone. 
How  fitting  that  in  the  last  moments  of  life 
praise  to  God  should  dwell  on  his  lips.  His 
body  now  sleeps  in  the  cemetery  near  his  old 
Chambersburg  home,  in  Cumberland  County, 
Pennsylvania. 

From  Life  to  Life-6 


82  FROM    LIFE   TO    LIFE 

"Sleep  then,  weary,  aged  pilgrim, 
Where  no  sounds  disturb  thy  rest; 
Whilst  thy  soul  in  joy  is  basking 
In  the  sunshine  of  the  blest." 


REV.  I.  K.  STATTON,  D.D. 

This  great  preacher  and  church  builder  was 
born  December  25,  1830,  and  answered  the  call 
to  his  coronation  October  7,  1903,  after  he  had 
served  the  Church  fifty-two  years  as  a  minister 
and  leader  in  Christian  work.  He  spent  his 
young  manhood  days  in  Virginia  Conference, 
then  went  west,  first  to  what  was  known  as 
Rock  River  Conference,  and  later  to  Iowa,  where 
he  remained  until  his  work  was  done.  Though 
the  disease  from  which  he  died  somewhat  af- 
fected his  mind  toward  the  last,  yet  Christ  and 
preaching  the  gospel  were  uppermost  in  his 
thoughts.  Again  and  again  did  he,  while  in  this 
condition,  lead  the  family  in  the  most  wonderful 
prayers  to  which  they  ever  listened. 

One  day  he  preached  to  his  son,  Dr.  A.  B.,  a 
complete  sermon,  eloquent  and  searching,  on  the 
text,  "Except  ye  have  the  Spirit  of  Christ  ye  are 
none  of  his."  He  had  preached  so  long,  and  so 
faithfully  that  he  was  thoroughly  saturated 
with  the  great  truths  of  our  holy  Christianity. 
They  had  become  a  part  of  his  very  being. 
When  asked  if  he  knew  he  was  near  death  he 
replied,  "To  be  sure;  that's  nothing;  we  must 


FROM    LIFE    TO   LIFE  83 

all  go  the  way  of  the  flesh."  His  body  sleeps 
in  the  Hagerstown  (Maryland)  cemetery,  and 
within  the  bounds  of  his  first  pastoral  charge. 
His  faithful  helper  in  the  Lord  who  followed 
him  in  1916,  rests  by  his  side. 

"Can  the  bonds  that  make  us  here, 

Know  ourselves  immortal, 
Drop  away  like  foliage  sear. 

At  life's  inner  portal? 
What  is  holiest  below 

Must  forever  grow." 


BRIEF  MENTION 

"Glory!" — Rev.  Simon  George. 

"Farewell!" — Rev.  Samuel  Hayworth. 

"Going  home." — Rev.  William  Filmer. 

"I  am  God's  son." — Rev.  Hugh  Huston. 

"Glory  to  God!"— i^ey.  William  0'  Neal. 

"Oh,  I  am  so  happyV'—Rev.  M.  S.  Cooley. 

"The  way  is  clear." — Rev.  Joseph  Gallentine. 

"Trusting  in  Christ." — Rev.  James  Anderson. 

"I  have  met  heaven." — Rev.  Henry  Huffman. 

"Just  as  the  Lord  wills." — Rev.  Joshua  Orne. 

"Behold  the  Lamb!" — Rev.  Edward  Timmons. 

"Glory    to    God,    I'm    going    home." — Rev. 
H.  G.  Banks. 


84  FROM    LIFE   TO    LIFE 

"Glory  to  God  in  the  highest!" — Rev.  Daniel 
Tussing. 

"I   am  sweeping  through    the  gates," — Rev. 
A.  A.  Shisler. 

"I   know  I   have  a  home  in  heaven." — Rev. 
Daniel  Fruitt. 

"Come,    Lord    Jesus,    and    take   me." — Rev. 
John  W.  Price. 

"All  is  well." — Rev.  J.  C.  Larue,  of  St.  Joseph 
Conference. 

"For  me  to  live  is  Christ;  to  die  is  gain." — 
Rev.  Jacob  Resler. 

"I  am  going." — Rev.  J.  M.  Rodruck,  of  Vir- 
ginia Conference. 

"It  is  well." — Rev.  Herman  Scott,  Rock  River 
(now  Illinois)  Conference. 

"Hallelujah!" — Rev.  Jesse  L.  Cox,  Rock  River 
(now  Northern  Illinois)  Conference. 

"I  am  going  home." — Rev.  John  Dever,  Scioto 
(now  Southeast  Ohio)  Conference. 

"I  want  to  see  how  it  looks  in  heaven." — 
Rev.  Jacob  Kenoyer. 

"I  am  trusting  in  Jesus." — Rev.  Isaac  Neidig, 
Iowa  Conference. 

"It  is  all  right."— Rev.   Charles  Miller,  Vir- 
ginia Conference. 

"I  want  you  all  to  meet  me  in  heaven." — 
Rev.  Daniel  Boulster. 


FROM    LIFE   TO   LIFE  85 

"God  is  with  me." — Rev.  John  Gibbons,  Vir- 
ginia Conference. 

"Oh,  my  Savior!" — Rev.  D.  R.  Bovey,  Mary- 
land (now  Pennsylvania)  Conference. 

"Let  me  go   to    my   Savior;    let    me  go." — 
Rev.  Daniel  Bonebrake. 

"Thy  rod  and  thy  staff,  they  comfort  me." — 
Rev.  Lewis  D.  Ambrose. 

"All  is  well;  Christ  is  my  only  hope." — Rev. 
David  H.  Tallman. 

"Lord,  help!  Lord,  help!  that  I  may  die  in 
peace." — Rev.  Jacob  Baer. 

"Meet  me  in  heaven." — Rev.    Harvey  Tuck, 
St.  Joseph  Conference. 

"Raise  me  up.     Praise  God,  deliverance  has 
come." — Rev.  W.  S.  Hayes. 

"I   am   going  in   peace." — Rev.  Joseph   Wil- 
liams, Miami  Conference. 

"Blessed    Jesus." — Rev.    William   G.    Mauk, 
Central  Ohio  (now  Southeast  Ohio)  Conference. 

"Praise    the    Lord!" — Rev.    Gottlieb    Meyers, 
Ohio  German  Conference. 

"We   soon    will    meet    where    parting    is    no 
more." — Rev.  William  Miller. 

"No  condemnation!" — Rev.  DavidBlair,  Penn- 
sylvania Conference. 


86  FROM   LIFE   TO   LIFE 

"It  is  all   over;  good-by."— i?e».    W.   D.  L. 
Welch,  Neosho  (now  Kansas)  Conference. 

"Going  home!" — Rev.  Samuel  C.  McClelland 
St.  Joseph  Conference. 

"I    am    as    firm    as    a    rock." — Rev.   Samuel 
Essex,  Sandusky  Conference. 

"I  have  an  unshaken  confidence  and  peace 
in  my  soul." — Rev.  S.  P.  Wygant. 

"I  love  Jesus.  He  has  come." — Rev.  R.  K. 
Wyant,  Sandusky  Conference. 

"I  must  die,  but  all  is  peace." — Rev.  C.  L. 
Barlow,  Sandusky  Conference. 

"Oh,  the  sweet  peace  in  believing." — Rev.  J. 
Harritt,  Oregon  Conference. 

"Let  me  go,  let  me  go." — Rev.  John  R. 
Shepler,  East  Ohio  Conference. 

"Cheerfully." — Rev.  Eli  Slutts,  Muskingum 
(now  East  Ohio)  Conference. 

"Amen!  Praise  the  Lord!" — Rev.  Charles  A. 
Slater,  East  Ohio  Conference. 

"To  die  will  be  my  gain." — Rev,,  F.  Mc- 
Reynolds,  Wisconsin  Conference. 

"All  hail  the  power  of  Jesus'  name." — Rev. 
Joseph  A.  Wolf,  Scioto  (now  Southeast  Ohio) 
Conference. 

"There  is  not  a  cloud,  not  a  doubt." — Rev. 
J.  S.  Buell,  Allegheny  Conference. 


FROM    LIFE   TO   LIFE  87 

"All  is  right.  I  have  no  fears."— i^ey.  /.  B. 
Weidler,  Pennsylvania  Conference. 

"Thy  will  be  done,  O  Lord." — Rev.  John 
Ellenbarger,  Allegheny  Conference. 

"Glory  to  God!  His  will  be  done." — Rev. 
George  Patterson,  Iowa  Conference. 

"Many  souls  for  Jesus." — Rev.  George  A. 
Miner,  Arkansas  Valley  (now  Kansas)  Con- 
ference. 

"I  am  only  waiting  for  the  Master's  call." — 
Rev.  J.  G.  Snyder,  Iowa  Conference. 

"The  gospel  I  preach  holds  out." — Rev.  J.  R. 
Gipple,  East  Ohio  Conference. 

"It  is  all  right,  whether  I  live  or  die." — Rev. 
James  Long,  Miami  Conference. 

"Jesus,  Jesus!  Home,  home!" — Rev.  William 
Wright,  White  River  Conference. 

"All  right."— i?CT.  S.  H.  Garriott,  Indiana 
Conference. 

"Tell  my  brethren  I  have  gone  to  rest." — 
Rev.  William  Lower ,  Auglaize  (now  Sandusky) 
Conference. 

"I  am  prepared." — Rev.  Jacob  Stambaugh, 
Muskingum  (now  East  Ohio)  Conference. 

"Glory  to  Jesus!" — Rev.  John  Pugsley,  Indi- 
ana Conference. 

"The  messenger  has  come,  and  all  is  grand." — 
Rev.  J.  G.  Ketterman,  Virginia  Conference. 


88  FROM   LIFE   TO   LIFE 

"Say  to  my  brethren,  that  it  is  well  with 
me." — Rev.  J.  Davis,  Sandusky  Conference. 

"My  Savior  is  with  me,  and  all  is  right." — 
Rev.  W.  0.  Grimm,  Pennsylvania  Conference. 

"The  messenger  is  here  now;  glory!" — Rev. 
William  H.Brown,  Lower  Wabash  (now  Illinois) 
Conference. 

"Glory  to  God!  Salvation  is  a  reality!" — 
Rev.  James  M.  Cook,  White  River  Conference. 

"I  am  ready  to  go.  Tell  the  brethren  I  am 
saved  from  sickness  and  sin." — Rev.  James  E. 
Mason. 

"My  time  has  come." — Rev.  John  Light, 
Pennsylvania  (now  East  Pennsylvania)  Con- 
ference. 

"I  am  at  peace  with  God  and  with  all  men." — 
Rev.  John  Bell,  Sandusky  Conference. 

"O  Lord,  if  this  is  my  last  night  make  it 
short." — Rev.  G.  H.  Bower,  Scioto  (now  South- 
east Ohio)  Conference. 

"I  am  under  the  blood  and  am  saved." — 
Rev.  Adam  McDannel,  i\uglaize  (now  Sandusky) 
Conference. 

"No  doubts!  No  doubts!" — Rev.  John  Meyer, 
of  East  German  (now  East  Pennsylvania)  Con- 
ference. 

"Sweet  home!  Blessed  home!  I  will  soon 
be  there." — Rev.  W.  M.  Kimmel,  Miami  Con- 
ference. 


FROM    LIFE   TO   LIFE  89 

"All  is  right;  I  am  ready. — Rev.  John  Weimer, 
Muskingum  (now  East  Ohio)  Conference. 

"The  chariot  has  come,  and  I  am  ready  to 
step  in." — Rev.  Jordan  Antle,  Kentucky  Con- 
ference. 

"I  long  to  be  at  rest  with  the  blood -washed 
throng." — Rev.  J.  M.  Ware,  of  West  Nebraska 
(now  Nebraska)  Conference. 

"Do  not  say  anything;  I  am  tired.  Let  me 
go  to  rest." — Rev.  J.  P.  Smith,  Pennsylvania 
Conference. 

"I  have  never  feared  death  since  God,  for 
Christ's  sake,  pardoned  my  sins." — Rev.  George 
Weaver. 

"Tell  my  brethren  of  the  Muskingum  Con- 
ference that  John  Sands  has  gone  to  glory." — 
Rev.  John  Sands. 

"It  will  be  over  soon.  Just  let  me  remain 
as  I  am." — Rev.  Emanuel  JIuffman,  Central 
Ohio  (now  Sandusky)  Conference. 

"I  tell  you  it  means  something  to  be  a  Chris- 
tian."— Rev.  Henry  Decker,  North  Ohio  (now 
Sandusky)  Conference. 

"Oh,  how  beautiful!  The  opening  heavens 
around  me  shine." — Rev,  Philip  Heck,  Rock 
River  (now  Illinois)  Conference. 

"My  time  is  short;  I  want  to  go  home." — 
Rev.  Christian  Kauffman,  East  Pennsylvania 
Conference. 


90  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

"They  sing!  The  angels  sing!" — Rev.  Francis 
5mzee,  Muskingum  (now  East  Ohio  Conference). 

"That  gospel  which  I  preached  to  others  in 
health,  supports  me  in  the  cold  arms  of  death." — 
Rev.  Henry  Garrett. 

"Glory,  glory!  Come,  Lord  Jesus!  Amen!" — 
Rev.  William  Eck ells,  Indiana  Conference. 

"Do  you  see  that  bright  light?  Do  you  see 
those  angels?" — Rev.  William  Stephenson,  Alle- 
gheny Conference. 

"All  is  clear  between  the  Savior  and  my 
soul,  but  I  am  saved  by  grace  through  faith 
alone." — Rev.  A.  T.Briggs. 

"The  Lord's  will  be  done;  I  am  ready." — 
Rev.  C.  Whitecotton,  of  Parkersburg  (now  West 
Virginia)  Conference. 

"The  blood!  the  blood!  it  cleanseth  me. 
Glory,  hallelujah!  Amen."— Rev.  W.  C.  Ro- 
mine,  Illinois  Conference. 

"Tell  the  friends  that  religion  is  my  sup- 
port."— Rev.  A.  S.  Wade,  Muskingum  (now 
East  Ohio)  Conference. 

"I  am  packed  up  and  ready  to  go.  I  am 
waiting  for  the  Lord  to  call  me." — Rev.  John 
Carter,  Illinois  Conference. 

"Thank  God,  I  am  almost  across.  It  is  get- 
ting brighter  every  step  I  take." — Rev.  D.  O, 
Farrell,  Virginia  Conference. 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  91 

"Tell  the  people  I  am  trusting  in  Jesus;  there 
is  not  a  shadow  in  the  way." — Rev.  Samuel 
Hall,  Sandusky  Conference. 

"The  conflict  is  almost  over,  and  all  is 
well." — Rev.  William  Miles,  Parkersburg  (now 
West  Virginia)  Conference. 

"I  am  sure  of  heaven,  and  will  not  have  to 
wait  long  till  I  get  there." — Rev.  Solomon 
Bigham,  Pennsylvania  Conference. 

"How  sweet  to  lean  on  Jesus'  breast,  and 
breathe  my  life  out  sweetly  there." — Rev.  An- 
drew Zuver,  North  Ohio  (now  Sandusky)  Con- 
ference. 

"It  is  all  right;  my  work  is  done,  and  I  am 
ready  to  go." — Rev.  E.  Stutler,  Parkersburg 
(now  West  Virginia)  Conference. 

"I  will  soon  be  gone,  but  do  not  weep  for 
me.  I  am  going  home  to  glory." — Rev.  George 
W.  Vandeventer,  Des  Moines  (now  Iowa)  Con- 
ference. 

"Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul, 
Let  me  to  thy  bosom  fly." 

— Rev.  Edmund  Clow,  Minnesota  Conference. 

"If  it  were  the  Lord's  will,  I  would  like  to 
preach  once  more." — Rev.  A.  Hendrickson, 
Parkersburg  (now  West  Virginia)  Conference. 

"Tell  the  brethren  of  Auglaize  Conference 
that  the  same  gospel  I  preached  to  others, 
saves  me  in  a  dying  hour." — Rev.  J.  C.  Mc- 
Bride. 


92  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

"Tell  my  brethren  that  if  I  never  meet 
them  on  earth  again,  I  will  meet  them  in  heaven." 
— Rev.  N.  J.  Smith,  Scioto  (now  Southeast 
Ohio)  Conference. 

"I  have  no  desire  to  recover— would  rather 
depart  and  be  with  Christ." — Rev.  Samuel 
Cook,  Muskingum  (now  East  Ohio)  Conference. 

"Follow  me  as  I  have  followed  Christ,  and 
meet  me  in  heaven." — Rev.  William  Elder,  of 
Dakota  (now  Nebraska)  Conference. 

"Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 
As  soft  as  downy  pillovvs  are." 

— Rev.  Stephen  Littlebridge,   Sandusky   Confer- 
ence. 

"If  I  had  my  life  to  live  over,  I  would  preach 
as  long  as  I  could  speak  ten  minutes  at  a  time." — 
Rev.  William  Hastings,  Scioto  (now  Southeast 
Ohio)  Conference. 

"I  am  ready  and  willing  to  go,  for  I  have 
fought  a  good  fight.  I  have  finished  my  course." 
— Rev.  S.  A.  Lovelace,  Des  Moines  (now  Iowa) 
Conference. 

"Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace,  whose 
mind  is  stayed  on  thee:  because  he  trusteth 
in  thee." — Rev.  Barnard  Bickley,  Pennsylvania 
Conference.  • 

"Oh,  I  see  such  a  fullness  in  Christ  as  I 
never  saw  before.  Tell  the  people  I  am  trust- 
ing in  a  full  salvation." — Rev.  P.  Corl,  Pennsyl- 
vania Conference. 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  93 

"I  am  on  the  border-land.  All  is  well,  all  is 
well.  Is  this  death?  If  this  be  death,  then 
it  is  pleasant  to  die." — Rev.  David  S.  Mont- 
gomery, Central  Ohio  (now  Southeast  Ohio) 
Conference. 

"It  is  not  death  to  leave  this  world,  and 
then  with  the  brotherhood  on  high  be  at  home 
with  God." — Rev.  Jacob  Doerksen,  of  East 
German  (now  East  Pennsylvania)  Conference. 

"Oh!  sing  to  me  of  heaven, 
When  I  am  called  to  die; 
Sing  songs  of  holy  ecstasy, 
To  waft  my  soul  on  high." 

— Rev.  John  Bell. 

"I  regret  that  I  have  done  so  little  for  the 
cause  of  my  Master,  but  I  feel  that  I  have 
done  the  best  I  could  under  the  circumstances. 
I  am  now  ready;  the  Lord's  will  be  done." — 
Rev.  L.  J.  Coley,  Upper  Wabash  (now  White 
River)  Conference, 

"I  am  now  ready  to  be  offered,  and  the 
time  of  my  departure  is  at  hand.  I  have 
fought  a  good  fight;  I  have  finished  my  course; 
I  have  kept  the  faith." — Rev.  Henry  Schropp, 
of  East  German  (now  East  Pennsylvania) 
Conference. 

After  quoting,  "I  beseech  thee,  show  me  thy 
glory,"  he  exclaimed  with  feelings  of  rapture: 
"I  see  it  now;  Oh,  the  beautiful  gates  covered 
with  angels." — Rev.  J.  T.  Shaffer,  East  Penn- 
sylvania Conference. 


94  FROM    LIFE   TO    LIFE 

"I  have  fought  my  fight;  I  have  finished  my 
course;  I  have  tried  to  be  an  obedient  servant 
of  Jesus  Christ.  I  have  made  many  mistakes, 
yet  he  knows  I  have  tried  to  serve  him." — 
Rev.  L.  T.  John,  North  (now  Nebraska)  Con- 
ference. 

"The  waters  are  deep,  but  I'll  soon  be  over." — 
Rev.  Lewis  Peters,  East  Pennsylvania  Conference. 

"All  is  well,  I  am  only  waiting  for  Jesus." — 
Rev.  M.  H.  Sly,  Michigan  Conference. 

"It  is  better  farther  on." — Rev.  John  Davy. 

"Sudden  death  means  sudden  glory." — Rev. 
L.  D.  Newman,  Michigan  Conference. 

"Everything  is  all  right,  I  am  not  afraid  to 
go." — Rev.  J.  T.  Reynolds,  Kansas  Conference. 

To  his  children:  "Take  good  care  of  mother; 
I'm  going  home."  To  his  wife  he  said:  "I 
will  wait  for  your  coming." — Rev.  W.  D.  Mower, 
Pennsylvania  Conference. 

"If  this  is  death,  O,  how  sweet  it  is  to  die." — 
Rev.  P.  H.  Blinn,  Arkansas  (now  Kansas) 
Conference. 

"I  am  calmly  waiting  for  the  call.  Halle- 
lujah!"— Rev.  W.  S.  Titus,  Michigan  Conference. 

"The  Bible  has  been  the  flower  and  joy  of 
my  life." — Rev.  Joshua  Harp,  Maryland  Con- 
ference. 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  95 

"I  trust  in  the  word  I  have  preached,  and 
rest  in  the  assurance  it  brings." — Rev.  J.  B. 
Jones,  Pennsylvania  Conference. 

To  his  wife  when  death  came  suddenly: 
"The  Lord  has  called  me,  but  he  will  provide 
for  you  and  the  little  boy." — Rev.  Jacob  Surface, 
Nebraska  Conference. 

"O  death,  where  is  thy  sting;  O  grave,  where 
is  thy  victory." — Rev.  W.  Cornell,  Vienna, 
Ontario. 

"The  Lord  is  my  shepherd,  I  will  fear  no 
evil." — Rev.  J.  X.  Quigley,  East  Pennsyl- 
vania Conference. 

"I  am  now  ready  to  be  offered,  and  the  time 
of  my  departure  is  at  hand." — Rev.  C.  U.  Wes- 
ley, West  Africa. 

"Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace 
whose  mind  is  stayed  on  Thee." — Rev.  Phillip 
Surface,  Iowa  Conference. 

"I  am  not  afraid  of  death;  that  was  settled 
years  ago.  Death  would  be  a  welcome  guest  to 
me  at  any  moment." — Rev.  H.  B.  Duncan, 
West  Virginia  Conference. 

"I  have  perfect  confidence  in  my  Redeemer. 
I  love  him  and  trust  him  and  know  he  has  a 
place  for  me  in  heaven." — Rev.  W.  H.  Sharp, 
Indiana  Conference. 

"Mother,  Mother,  Mother!"— i?ez;.  Wilson 
Martin,  Sandusky  Conference. 


96  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

"It  will  not  be  long  till  He  comes." — Rev. 
T.  J.  Musselman,  Lower  Wabash  (now  Illinois) 
Conference. 

To  a  brother  pastor:  "Good  by;  preach  the 
Word." — Rev.    Uriah  Green,  Miami  Conference. 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  97 

HOW     OUR     PREACHERS'     WIVES     DIE 

MRS.  HENRIETTA  MEYER  DOWLING 

This  heroine  of  the  cross  was  born  in  Smith- 
ville,  Ohio,  June  5,  1868,  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty-three  married  Rev.  H.  A.  Dowling,  of 
East  Ohio  Conference.  Her  translation  occurred 
from  her  home  in  Los  Angeles,  California, 
December  18,  1916. 

Rev.  Ella  R.  King,  a  valued  friend  of  the 
family,  was  with  her  at  the  last,  and  relates  how 
she  was  thrilled  with  the  thought  and  prospect 
of  going  home.  "I  want  no  ostentation  at  my 
funeral,"  she  said.  "No  show,  no  black,  no 
mourning.  It  will  be  my  coronation."  After 
further  conversation  she  added:  "Now,  I  want 
you  to  read  and  pray  with  me,"  at  the  close  of 
which  she  exclaimed:  "God  bless  you.  I  am  so 
glad  you  prayed  about  the  blood  of  Jesus.  That 
is  the  life,  his  life,  our  life."  Later,  and  at  her 
request,  "How  Firm  a  Foundation,"  and  "Jesus, 
Lover  of  My  Soul"  were  sung  by  loved  ones 
who  stood  around  her,  she  joining  in  the  singmg. 
It  was  not  long,  then,  till  the  end  came.  Her 
final  words  were:  "All  has  been  done.  I  have 
sweet  peace  and  rest." 

"Let  sorrow's  rudest  tempest  blow, 
Each  cord  on  earth  to  sever; 
Our  King  says,  'Come!'  and  there's  our  home. 
Forever,  and  forever." 

From  Life  to  Life- 7 


98  FROM    LIFE   TO    LIFE 

MRS.  EMMA  E.  DICKSON 

Mrs.  Dickson  became  the  wife  of  Rev.  W.  A. 
Dickson,  of  Pennsylvania  Conference  in  1875, 
and  died  in  Ciiambersburg,  Pennsylvania,  Sep- 
tember 15,  1910.  As  her  husband  repeated  the 
Shepherd  Psalm,  being  too  weak  to  speak,  she 
pointed  her  finger  heavenward,  and  thus  elo- 
quently expressed  her  faith  in  Jesus,  and  her 
hope  of  a  glorious  heaven.  "She  was  a  faithful 
wife,  a  devoted  Christian,  and  a  loving  mother," 
is  the  testimony  of  her  companion. 

"Beautiful  lives  are  those  that  bless — 
Silent  rivers  of  happiness, 
Whose  hidden  fountain  but  few  may  guess. 

"Beautiful  twilight,  at  set  of  sun, 
Beautiful  goal,  with  race  well  won, 
Beautiful  rest,  with  work  well  done. 

"Beautiful  graves,  where  grasses  creep, 
Where  brown  leaves  fall,  where  drifts  lie  deep 
Over  worn — our  hands — oh,  beautiful  sleep!" 


MRS.  SADIE  CRIDER 

This  faithful  wife  of  a  faithful  pastor  of 
Pennsylvania  Conference,  had  visions  beatific, 
and  a  joy  inexpressible,  as  she  tarried  for  a  time 
in  the  borderland.  To  her  brother  who  sat  near 
her  she  said:  "Did  you  see  that?"  "Why,  no, 
Sadie,"  was  the  answer,  "What  was  it?" 
"Why,"    she   replied,    "It   seemed    to    me    the 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  99 

waters  dashed  against  the  gates.  Oh,  I'm  so 
glad  I'm  saved!"  Then  lifting  her  hand  she 
triumphantly  exclaimed :  "Higher,  higher,  high- 
er!" and  "was  not,  for  God  took  her." 

"Why  should  our  tears  of  sorrow  flow, 
When  God  recalls  his  own, 
And  bids  them  leave  a  world  of  woe, 
For  an  immortal  home?" 


MRS.  DORCAS  CLARK 

This  faithful  companion  and  helper  of  Rev. 
J.  W.  Clark,  of  Erie  Conference,  died  in  1910, 
full  of  faith  and  hope.  Knowing  that  the  end 
was  near  she  said  to  a  daughter,  "Tell  all  the 
children  to  meet  me  in  heaven."  Again,  "How 
wonderfully  God  has  answered  my  prayers." 
To  the  very  last  the  Bible  and  Religious  Telescope 
were  her  loved  companions.  Her  husband  pre- 
ceded her  to  Beulah  land  twelve  years. 

"From  death  to  life  eternal. 
From  earth  unto  the  sky, 
Our  Christ  hath  brought  us  over, 
With  hymns  of  victory." 


MRS.  ROSA  ELIZABETH  ROOT 

This  highly  gifted  and  devoutly  religious 
woman  had  a  remarkable  experience,  and  gave 
wonderful  testimony  when  dying.  "I  should 
like  to  get  well,"  she  said,   "that  I  might  be 


100  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

with  my  husband  and  the  children  a  while 
longer,  but  the  Lord  has  cared  for  them  thus 
far  with  me,  and  he  can  take  care  of  them 
without  me,  if  he  thinks  best  to  take  me."  A 
friend  said  to  her,  "I  had  hoped  to  find  you 
better  when  I  came  again,"  whereupon  she 
replied:  "/  shall  be  better  soony  "I  am  glad 
to  see  you  so  cheerful"  said  another  friend. 
"Why  shouldn't  I  be?  It's  only  a  step  across," 
was  the  beautiful  reply.  A  few  hours  later  she 
said:  "I  may  be  mistaken,  but  I  think  I  am 
going  now.  I  want  to  go  home.  Meet  me 
there."     She  was  the  wife  of  Rev.  A.  K.  Root. 

"Home  at  last." 


"There  is  one  in  whom  we  can  have  entire 
confidence." — Mrs.  Elizabeth  Rankin,  widow  of 
Rev.  R.  G.  Rankin,  Allegheny  Conference. 

To  her  two  daughters:  "Girls,  I  am  dying; 
farewell  vain  world,  I'm  going  to  rest  at  last. 
Jesus,  dear  Jesus." — Mrs.  Anna  M.  Shuey, 
wife  of  Rev.  Josiah  Shuey,  Lower  Wabash 
Conference. 

"I  want  my  Sunday-school  class  to  be  my 
pall  bearers,  for  it  may  be  the  means  of  bringing 
them  to  Christ.  Beautiful  crowns!"— ilfr^.  Ella 
M.  Miller,  wife  of  Rev.  Jacob  Miller,  Miami 
Conference. 


FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE  101 

"Oh,  I'm  sorry  to  leave  you,  but  if  it  is  possible, 
I  will  hover  over  you.  I'll  be  there." — Mrs. 
A.  D.  Sturm  to  her  husband,  a  minister  of  West 
Virginia  Conference. 

"Heaven  seems  a  different  country  to  me  now 
since  so  many  of  my  friends  are  there." — Mrs. 
Leinnie  Hicks,  wife  of  Rev.  J.  W.  Hicks,  of 
Sandusky  Conference. 

"It  is  all  well  with  me.  I  am  not  afraid  to 
die." — Mrs.  Eliza  Jane  Givens,  wife  of  Rev. 
W.  M.  Givens,  Indiana  Conference. 

"I  am  so  glad  I  don't  have  to  get  ready  for 
death  now;  I  am  abiding  in  the  Lord  Jesus  by 
faith,  and  he  will  take  care  of  me,  so  I  don't 
have  to  worry." — Mrs.  Sarah  A.  Pittman,  wife 
of  Rev.  J.  S.  Pittman,  California  Conference. 

"There's  a  light  on  the  other  shore. "^ — Mrs. 
Parnelia  A.  Cadman,  widow  of  Rev.  William 
Cadman,  Erie  Conference. 

"Jesus,  precious  Jesus." — Mrs.  Catharine  G. 
Walker,  wife  of  Rev.  H.  Walker,  Illinois 
Conference. 


102  FROM    LIFE    TO    LIFE 

TO  THE  LIVING 

"Now  unto  him  that  is  able  to  keep  you 
from  falHng,  and  to  present  you  faultless 
before  the  presence  of  his  glory  with  exceed- 
ing joy,  to  the  only  wise  God  our  Saviour,  be 
glory  and  magesty,  dominion  and  power,  both 
now  and  ever.    Amen." 


BX9878.8.A1W3 

From  life  to  life;  or,  How  our 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary-Speer  Library 


1   1012  00047  1997 


